Emerson vs. Northeastern

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

Emerson College
Northeastern University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northeastern (5.2% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Northeastern. Average net price is $34,207 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Northeastern 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Northeastern $69,500 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Northeastern University
Acceptance rate
Northeastern more selective
Emerson51.3%
Northeastern5.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northeastern higher
Emerson1270-1420
Northeastern1440-1540
Average net price
Northeastern $19,225 less
Emerson$53,432
Northeastern$34,207
In-state tuition
Emerson $9,106 less
Emerson$57,056
Northeastern$66,162
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $9,106 less
Emerson$57,056
Northeastern$66,162
Graduation rate
Emerson +4 pts
Emerson81%
Northeastern77%
Median earnings (10 years)
Northeastern +$20,300
Emerson$49,200
Northeastern$69,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Northeastern 98,425
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Northeastern 5,133
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Northeastern 5.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Northeastern 53.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Northeastern 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Northeastern 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Northeastern 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Northeastern A
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Northeastern Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Northeastern Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Northeastern 1440-1540
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Northeastern 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Northeastern Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Northeastern Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Northeastern $19,580
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Northeastern $34,207
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Northeastern $50,421
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Northeastern 66%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Northeastern 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Northeastern $69,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Northeastern 79%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Northeastern $27,875
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Northeastern $288
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Northeastern 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Northeastern
    • Business (25%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Northeastern Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Northeastern Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Northeastern 32,553
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Northeastern Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Northeastern #128

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University are 6.4% lower than at Emerson College ($19,580 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16% higher at Northeastern than at Emerson College (about $9,106 more per year; $66,162 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Northeastern University (77% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 86.8% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($50,421 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Northeastern than at Emerson (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Northeastern.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northeastern average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $4,375 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,875).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($242 vs. $288).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 79%).

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

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