Emerson vs. Ithaca College

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

Emerson College
Ithaca College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 69%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1310.
  • Cheaper after aid: Ithaca College. Average net price is $35,253 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Ithaca College 74%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Ithaca College $56,100 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Ithaca College
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
Ithaca College69%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
Ithaca College1230-1390
Average net price
Ithaca College $18,179 less
Emerson$53,432
Ithaca College$35,253
In-state tuition
Ithaca College $3,516 less
Emerson$57,056
Ithaca College$53,540
Out-of-state tuition
Ithaca College $3,516 less
Emerson$57,056
Ithaca College$53,540
Graduation rate
Emerson +7 pts
Emerson81%
Ithaca College74%
Median earnings (10 years)
Ithaca College +$6,900
Emerson$49,200
Ithaca College$56,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Ithaca College 12,400
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Ithaca College 8,557
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Ithaca College 69%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Ithaca College 12.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Ithaca College 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Ithaca College 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Ithaca College -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Ithaca College -
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Ithaca College Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Ithaca College Low
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Ithaca College 1230-1390
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Ithaca College 27-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Ithaca College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Ithaca College Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Ithaca College $53,540
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Ithaca College $53,540
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Ithaca College $16,192
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Ithaca College $35,253
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Ithaca College $33,450
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Ithaca College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Ithaca College 74%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Ithaca College $56,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Ithaca College 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Ithaca College $25,750
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Ithaca College $266
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Ithaca College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Ithaca College
    • Communication (19%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Ithaca College Ithaca, NY
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Ithaca College Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Ithaca College 4,767
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Ithaca College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Ithaca College #163

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Ithaca College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 4,767 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ithaca College are 22.6% lower than at Emerson College ($16,192 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.6% higher at Emerson than at Ithaca College (about $3,516 more per year; $57,056 vs. $53,540).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ithaca College than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ithaca College students is 23.9% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($33,450 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Emerson than at Ithaca College (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Ithaca College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Ithaca College Feb 1, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 12.3% at Ithaca College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Ithaca College graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,750).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ithaca College graduates ($242 vs. $266).
  • More Ithaca College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 80%).

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

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