Emerson vs. Harvard

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

Emerson College
Harvard University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Harvard (3.6% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Harvard. Average net price is $17,525 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Harvard 97%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Harvard $136,700 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Harvard University
Acceptance rate
Harvard more selective
Emerson51.3%
Harvard3.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Harvard higher
Emerson1270-1420
Harvard1510-1580
Average net price
Harvard $35,907 less
Emerson$53,432
Harvard$17,525
In-state tuition
Emerson $4,620 less
Emerson$57,056
Harvard$61,676
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $4,620 less
Emerson$57,056
Harvard$61,676
Graduation rate
Harvard +16 pts
Emerson81%
Harvard97%
Median earnings (10 years)
Harvard +$87,500
Emerson$49,200
Harvard$136,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Harvard 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Harvard 35
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Harvard Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Harvard Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Harvard 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Harvard 34-36
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Harvard Required
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Harvard $68,015
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Harvard 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Harvard 97%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Harvard 70%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Harvard $67
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Harvard #4

Comparable Facts

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

Harvard University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Harvard University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Harvard University 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emerson College are 1.3% lower than at Harvard University ($20,920 vs. $21,190).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Harvard than at Emerson College (about $4,620 more per year; $61,676 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Harvard University (77% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 151.9% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($68,015 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Harvard than at Emerson (35 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Emerson, required at Harvard.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Harvard Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Harvard average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 83.6% at Harvard.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $17,000 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($6,500 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $175 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($67 vs. $242).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 70%).

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

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