Emerson vs. ONU

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

Emerson College
Ohio Northern University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 74.4%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1290.
  • Cheaper after aid: ONU. Average net price is $25,941 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs ONU 65%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs ONU $71,200 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Ohio Northern University
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
ONU74.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
ONU1175-1400
Average net price
ONU $27,491 less
Emerson$53,432
ONU$25,941
In-state tuition
ONU $17,256 less
Emerson$57,056
ONU$39,800
Out-of-state tuition
ONU $17,256 less
Emerson$57,056
ONU$39,800
Graduation rate
Emerson +16 pts
Emerson81%
ONU65%
Median earnings (10 years)
ONU +$22,000
Emerson$49,200
ONU$71,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • ONU 4,640
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • ONU 3,452
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • ONU 74.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • ONU 19.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • ONU 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • ONU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • ONU 3.78
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • ONU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • ONU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • ONU Low
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • ONU 1175-1400
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • ONU 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • ONU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • ONU Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • ONU $39,800
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • ONU $39,800
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • ONU $14,604
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • ONU $25,941
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • ONU $27,696
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • ONU 97%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • ONU 65%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • ONU $71,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • ONU 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • ONU $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • ONU $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • ONU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • ONU
    • Business (19%)
    • Engineering (16%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Education (7%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • ONU Ada, OH
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • ONU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • ONU 3,140
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • ONU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • ONU #228

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than ONU based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 3,140 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio Northern University are 30.2% lower than at Emerson College ($14,604 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 43.4% higher at Emerson than at Ohio Northern University (about $17,256 more per year; $57,056 vs. $39,800).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Northern University than at Emerson College (97% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Northern University students is 2.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($27,696 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Emerson than at ONU (30 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and ONU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; ONU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at ONU average a 3.78 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 19.9% at ONU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than ONU graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (82% 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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