Emerson vs. Princeton

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

Emerson College
Princeton University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Princeton (4.6% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Princeton. Average net price is $15,313 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Princeton 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Princeton $113,900 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Princeton University
Acceptance rate
Princeton more selective
Emerson51.3%
Princeton4.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Princeton higher
Emerson1270-1420
Princeton1510-1580
Average net price
Princeton $38,119 less
Emerson$53,432
Princeton$15,313
In-state tuition
Emerson $5,632 less
Emerson$57,056
Princeton$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $5,632 less
Emerson$57,056
Princeton$62,688
Graduation rate
Princeton +15 pts
Emerson81%
Princeton96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Princeton +$64,700
Emerson$49,200
Princeton$113,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Princeton 40,468
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Princeton 1,868
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Princeton 4.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Princeton 75.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Princeton 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Princeton 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Princeton 3.93
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Princeton A
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Princeton Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Princeton Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Princeton 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Princeton 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Princeton Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Princeton Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Princeton $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Princeton $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Princeton $20,250
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Princeton $15,313
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Princeton $68,727
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Princeton 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Princeton 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Princeton $113,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Princeton 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Princeton $7,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Princeton $77
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Princeton 5:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Princeton
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • History (7%)
    • Human Services (7%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Princeton Princeton, NJ
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Princeton Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Princeton 9,137
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Princeton Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Princeton #1

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Princeton University is in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Princeton University 5:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Princeton University are 3.2% lower than at Emerson College ($20,250 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Princeton than at Emerson College (about $5,632 more per year; $62,688 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Princeton University (77% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 154.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($68,727 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Princeton than at Emerson (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Princeton.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Princeton average a 3.93 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $16,000 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($7,500 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $165 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($77 vs. $242).
  • More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (83% 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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