Emerson vs. MHC

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

Emerson College
Mount Holyoke College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MHC (36% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: MHC. Average net price is $32,526 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs MHC 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs MHC $50,000 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Emerson College Mount Holyoke College
Acceptance rate
MHC more selective
Emerson51.3%
MHC36%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MHC higher
Emerson1270-1420
MHC1380-1530
Average net price
MHC $20,906 less
Emerson$53,432
MHC$32,526
In-state tuition
Emerson $9,962 less
Emerson$57,056
MHC$67,018
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $9,962 less
Emerson$57,056
MHC$67,018
Graduation rate
MHC +4 pts
Emerson81%
MHC85%
Median earnings (10 years)
MHC +$800
Emerson$49,200
MHC$50,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Emerson and MHC with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Emerson Check my chances at MHC
  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • MHC 5,226
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • MHC 1,883
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • MHC 36%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • MHC 27.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • MHC 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • MHC 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • MHC 3.87
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • MHC A
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • MHC Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • MHC High
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • MHC 1380-1530
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • MHC 32-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • MHC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • MHC Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • MHC $67,018
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • MHC $67,018
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • MHC $19,684
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • MHC $32,526
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • MHC $52,418
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • MHC 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • MHC 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • MHC $50,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • MHC 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • MHC $21,206
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • MHC $219
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • MHC 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • MHC
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • MHC South Hadley, MA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • MHC Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • MHC 2,275
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • MHC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • MHC #81

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Emerson College is larger than MHC based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,275 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Mount Holyoke College is in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Mount Holyoke College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Holyoke College are 5.9% lower than at Emerson College ($19,684 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.5% higher at MHC than at Emerson College (about $9,962 more per year; $67,018 vs. $57,056).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College as at Mount Holyoke College (77% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 94.2% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($52,418 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at MHC than at Emerson (33 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and MHC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; MHC Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at MHC average a 3.87 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 27.2% at MHC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $2,294 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($21,206 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($219 vs. $242).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 77%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Emerson College
Mount Holyoke College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges