Emerson vs. Fordham

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

Emerson College
Fordham University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 59.3%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Fordham. Average net price is $48,190 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Fordham 78%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Fordham $64,200 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Fordham University
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
Fordham59.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Fordham higher
Emerson1270-1420
Fordham1320-1480
Average net price
Fordham $5,242 less
Emerson$53,432
Fordham$48,190
In-state tuition
Emerson $7,859 less
Emerson$57,056
Fordham$64,915
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $7,859 less
Emerson$57,056
Fordham$64,915
Graduation rate
Emerson +3 pts
Emerson81%
Fordham78%
Median earnings (10 years)
Fordham +$15,000
Emerson$49,200
Fordham$64,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Fordham 43,364
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Fordham 25,719
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Fordham 59.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Fordham 9.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Fordham 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Fordham 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Fordham 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Fordham A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Fordham Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Fordham Low
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Fordham 1320-1480
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Fordham 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Fordham Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Fordham Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Fordham $64,915
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Fordham $64,915
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Fordham $24,090
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Fordham $48,190
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Fordham $35,988
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Fordham 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Fordham 78%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Fordham $64,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Fordham 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Fordham $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Fordham $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Fordham 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Fordham
    • Business (26%)
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Fordham Bronx, NY
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Fordham Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Fordham 16,150
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Fordham Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Fordham #133

Comparable Facts

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

Fordham University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Fordham University is in Bronx, NY (Large City setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Fordham University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emerson College are 13.2% lower than at Fordham University ($20,920 vs. $24,090).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at Fordham than at Emerson College (about $7,859 more per year; $64,915 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Emerson College (95% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fordham University students is 33.3% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($35,988 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Fordham than at Emerson (31 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Fordham.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Fordham (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($242 vs. $268).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 77%).

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

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