Emerson vs. Penn State Brandywine

Emerson College and Penn State Brandywine side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
Penn State Brandywine

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 98.1%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1200.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn State Brandywine. Average net price is $22,710 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Penn State Brandywine 37%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Penn State Brandywine $55,300 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Penn State Brandywine
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
Penn State Brandywine98.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
Penn State Brandywine1080-1310
Average net price
Penn State Brandywine $30,722 less
Emerson$53,432
Penn State Brandywine$22,710
In-state tuition
Penn State Brandywine $41,848 less
Emerson$57,056
Penn State Brandywine$15,208
Out-of-state tuition
Penn State Brandywine $31,664 less
Emerson$57,056
Penn State Brandywine$25,392
Graduation rate
Emerson +44 pts
Emerson81%
Penn State Brandywine37%
Median earnings (10 years)
Penn State Brandywine +$6,100
Emerson$49,200
Penn State Brandywine$55,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Penn State Brandywine 2,431
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Penn State Brandywine 2,385
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Penn State Brandywine 98.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Penn State Brandywine 16.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Penn State Brandywine 1200
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Penn State Brandywine
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Penn State Brandywine -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Penn State Brandywine -
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Penn State Brandywine Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Penn State Brandywine
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Penn State Brandywine 1080-1310
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Penn State Brandywine
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Penn State Brandywine Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Penn State Brandywine
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Penn State Brandywine $15,208
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Penn State Brandywine $25,392
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Penn State Brandywine $14,474
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Penn State Brandywine $22,710
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Penn State Brandywine $9,113
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Penn State Brandywine 73%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Penn State Brandywine 37%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Penn State Brandywine $55,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Penn State Brandywine 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Penn State Brandywine $26,818
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Penn State Brandywine $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Penn State Brandywine 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Penn State Brandywine
    • Business (28%)
    • Work and Family Studies (28%)
    • Communication (23%)
    • Ethnic Studies (6%)
    • Education (5%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Penn State Brandywine Media, PA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Penn State Brandywine Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Penn State Brandywine 1,236
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Penn State Brandywine Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Penn State Brandywine #821

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Penn State Brandywine in Media, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Emerson College is larger than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 1,236 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Penn State Brandywine is in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Penn State Brandywine 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Brandywine are 30.8% lower than at Emerson College ($14,474 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 124.7% higher at Emerson than at Penn State Brandywine (about $31,664 more per year; $57,056 vs. $25,392).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Penn State Brandywine (77% vs. 73%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 196.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($26,997 vs. $9,113).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Penn State Brandywine.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($242 vs. $277).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Brandywine students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 69%).

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

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