Emerson vs. MIT

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Massachusetts Institute of Technology is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1.

Emerson vs. MIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or MIT? 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Emerson ($20,996 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are 3.1% lower than at Emerson College ($20,280 vs. $20,920).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is 9.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $5,340 more per year; $62,396.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at MIT than at Emerson College (about $5,340 more per year; $62,396.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (77% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 128.7% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($61,734 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. MIT Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson or MIT? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MIT and Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 200 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming MIT students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); MIT - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; MIT Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 85.8% at MIT.

Emerson vs. MIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and MIT? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $92,900 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $6,184 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($17,316 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($179 vs. $242).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.