Emerson vs. Furman

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Furman University in Greenville, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emerson College is larger than Furman based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,554 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Furman University is in Greenville, SC (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Furman University 10:1.

Emerson vs. Furman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Furman? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Furman University than Emerson ($34,086 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Furman University are 21.1% lower than at Emerson College ($16,504 vs. $20,920).
• Furman University is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $2,714 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Furman than at Emerson College (about $2,714 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Furman University than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Furman University students is 58.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($42,811 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Furman Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson or Furman? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Furman and Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is the same as at Furman (1350).
• Incoming Emerson students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 30) as students at Furman (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Emerson College 1270/1420; Furman University 1260/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Emerson College 29/32; Furman University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Furman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Furman Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Emerson students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Furman (3.61).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Furman (42.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 13.1% at Furman.

Emerson vs. Furman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Furman? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Furman University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Furman University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,943 lower median loan debt than Furman graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,443).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Furman graduates ($242 vs. $263).
• More Furman graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.