Emerson vs. Fitchburg State

Emerson College and Fitchburg State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
Fitchburg State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 86.9%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1150.
  • Cheaper after aid: Fitchburg State. Average net price is $15,340 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Fitchburg State 47%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Fitchburg State $44,000 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Fitchburg State University
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
Fitchburg State86.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
Fitchburg State1060-1230
Average net price
Fitchburg State $38,092 less
Emerson$53,432
Fitchburg State$15,340
In-state tuition
Fitchburg State $45,710 less
Emerson$57,056
Fitchburg State$11,346
Out-of-state tuition
Fitchburg State $39,630 less
Emerson$57,056
Fitchburg State$17,426
Graduation rate
Emerson +34 pts
Emerson81%
Fitchburg State47%
Median earnings (10 years)
Emerson +$5,200
Emerson$49,200
Fitchburg State$44,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Fitchburg State 4,582
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Fitchburg State 3,983
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Fitchburg State 86.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Fitchburg State 13.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Fitchburg State 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Fitchburg State
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Fitchburg State 3.29
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Fitchburg State B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Fitchburg State Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Fitchburg State
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Fitchburg State 1060-1230
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Fitchburg State
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Fitchburg State Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Fitchburg State
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Fitchburg State $11,346
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Fitchburg State $17,426
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Fitchburg State $15,452
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Fitchburg State $15,340
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Fitchburg State $11,539
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Fitchburg State 92%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Fitchburg State 47%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Fitchburg State $44,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Fitchburg State 65%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Fitchburg State $22,685
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Fitchburg State $234
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Fitchburg State 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Fitchburg State
    • General Studies (16%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Fitchburg State Fitchburg, MA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Fitchburg State Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Fitchburg State 5,892
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Fitchburg State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Fitchburg State #573

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Fitchburg State University is in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Fitchburg State University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 26.1% lower than at Emerson College ($15,452 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 227.4% higher at Emerson than at Fitchburg State University (about $39,630 more per year; $57,056 vs. $17,426).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at Emerson College (92% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 134% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($26,997 vs. $11,539).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Fitchburg State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.44 higher than at Fitchburg State (3.29).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 13.5% at Fitchburg State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $815 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($22,685 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($234 vs. $242).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 65%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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