Emerson vs. NYU

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

Emerson College
New York University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: NYU (9.2% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: NYU. Average net price is $30,325 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs NYU 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs NYU $76,000 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College New York University
Acceptance rate
NYU more selective
Emerson51.3%
NYU9.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NYU higher
Emerson1270-1420
NYU1480-1560
Average net price
NYU $23,107 less
Emerson$53,432
NYU$30,325
In-state tuition
Emerson $5,740 less
Emerson$57,056
NYU$62,796
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $5,740 less
Emerson$57,056
NYU$62,796
Graduation rate
NYU +5 pts
Emerson81%
NYU86%
Median earnings (10 years)
NYU +$26,800
Emerson$49,200
NYU$76,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • NYU 110,807
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • NYU 10,232
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • NYU 9.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • NYU 55.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • NYU 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • NYU 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • NYU 3.79
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • NYU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • NYU Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • NYU Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • NYU 1480-1560
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • NYU 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • NYU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • NYU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • NYU $62,796
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • NYU $62,796
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • NYU $23,530
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • NYU $30,325
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • NYU $53,901
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • NYU 37%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • NYU 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • NYU $76,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • NYU 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • NYU $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • NYU $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • NYU 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • NYU
    • Business (19%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • NYU New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • NYU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • NYU 56,832
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • NYU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • NYU #43

Comparable Facts

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

New York University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (56,832 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); New York University is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. New York University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; New York University 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emerson College are 11.1% lower than at New York University ($20,920 vs. $23,530).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at NYU than at Emerson College (about $5,740 more per year; $62,796 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at New York University (77% vs. 37%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by New York University students is 99.7% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($53,901 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at NYU than at Emerson (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and NYU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NYU average a 3.79 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 55.4% at NYU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, New York University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, NYU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($240 vs. $242).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NYU 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.

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