Emerson vs. Seattle U

Comparable Facts

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

Seattle University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (7,189 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Seattle University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Seattle University 10:1.

Emerson vs. Seattle U Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Seattle U? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seattle University than Emerson ($36,948 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seattle University are 24.9% lower than at Emerson College ($15,702 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Seattle U (about $335 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $56,721.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Emerson than at Seattle University (about $335 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $56,721.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seattle University than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle University students is 30.9% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($35,351 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Seattle U Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson or Seattle U? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Seattle U and Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 30 points higher than at Seattle U (1320).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Seattle U).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Seattle University 1200/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Seattle University 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Seattle U - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Seattle U Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Seattle U (3.62).
• Seattle U has a higher acceptance rate (76.9%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 13.6% at Seattle U.

Emerson vs. Seattle U Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Seattle U? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Seattle University's (71%).
• Graduates from Seattle University earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,400 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Seattle U graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Seattle U graduates ($242 vs. $253).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Seattle U students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.