Emerson vs. RPI

Emerson College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 63.5%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: RPI. Average net price is $38,887 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs RPI 84%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs RPI $82,500 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
RPI63.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RPI higher
Emerson1270-1420
RPI1375-1510
Average net price
RPI $14,545 less
Emerson$53,432
RPI$38,887
In-state tuition
Emerson $7,025 less
Emerson$57,056
RPI$64,081
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $7,025 less
Emerson$57,056
RPI$64,081
Graduation rate
RPI +3 pts
Emerson81%
RPI84%
Median earnings (10 years)
RPI +$33,300
Emerson$49,200
RPI$82,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • RPI 17,175
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • RPI 10,901
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • RPI 63.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • RPI 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • RPI 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • RPI 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • RPI 3.88
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • RPI A
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • RPI Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • RPI Low
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • RPI 1375-1510
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • RPI 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • RPI Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • RPI $64,081
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • RPI $64,081
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • RPI $18,120
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • RPI $38,887
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • RPI $43,517
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • RPI 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • RPI 84%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • RPI $82,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • RPI 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • RPI $27,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • RPI $284
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • RPI 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • RPI Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • RPI 7,040
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • RPI #130

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 13.4% lower than at Emerson College ($18,120 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.3% higher at RPI than at Emerson College (about $7,025 more per year; $64,081 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Emerson College (95% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 61.2% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($43,517 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at RPI than at Emerson (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and RPI.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RPI average a 3.88 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($242 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (92% 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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