Emerson vs. Olin College

Emerson College and Franklin W Olin College of Engineering side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Olin College (25.2% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Olin College. Average net price is $43,184 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Olin College 96%.
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Key differences

Emerson College Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
Acceptance rate
Olin College more selective
Emerson51.3%
Olin College25.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Olin College higher
Emerson1270-1420
Olin College1493-1558
Average net price
Olin College $10,248 less
Emerson$53,432
Olin College$43,184
In-state tuition
Emerson $9,342 less
Emerson$57,056
Olin College$66,398
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $9,342 less
Emerson$57,056
Olin College$66,398
Graduation rate
Olin College +15 pts
Emerson81%
Olin College96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Emerson +$49,200
Emerson$49,200
Olin College-

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Olin College 1,000
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Olin College 252
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Olin College 25.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Olin College 43.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Olin College 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Olin College
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Olin College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Olin College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Olin College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Olin College High
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Olin College 1493-1558
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Olin College
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Olin College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Olin College Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Olin College $66,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Olin College $66,398
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Olin College $20,810
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Olin College $43,184
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Olin College $43,290
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Olin College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Olin College 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Olin College N/A
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Olin College -
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Olin College $14,710
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Olin College $152
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Olin College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Olin College
    • Engineering (100%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Olin College Needham, MA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Olin College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Olin College 405
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Olin College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Emerson College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 405 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering are 0.5% lower than at Emerson College ($20,810 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at Olin College than at Emerson College (about $9,342 more per year; $66,398 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students is 60.4% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($43,290 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Olin College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Olin College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $8,790 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($14,710 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($152 vs. $242).

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

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