Emerson vs. Purchase College

Emerson College and SUNY at Purchase College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
SUNY at Purchase College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 74%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1280.
  • Cheaper after aid: Purchase College. Average net price is $18,211 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Purchase College 56%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Purchase College $40,200 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College SUNY at Purchase College
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
Purchase College74%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
Purchase College1185-1380
Average net price
Purchase College $35,221 less
Emerson$53,432
Purchase College$18,211
In-state tuition
Purchase College $48,103 less
Emerson$57,056
Purchase College$8,953
Out-of-state tuition
Purchase College $37,853 less
Emerson$57,056
Purchase College$19,203
Graduation rate
Emerson +25 pts
Emerson81%
Purchase College56%
Median earnings (10 years)
Emerson +$9,000
Emerson$49,200
Purchase College$40,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Purchase College 7,845
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Purchase College 5,809
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Purchase College 74%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Purchase College 12.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Purchase College 1280
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Purchase College 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Purchase College 3.37
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Purchase College B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Purchase College Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Purchase College Low
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Purchase College 1185-1380
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Purchase College 27-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Purchase College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Purchase College Jul 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Purchase College $8,953
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Purchase College $19,203
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Purchase College $16,436
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Purchase College $18,211
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Purchase College $10,432
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Purchase College 72%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Purchase College 56%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Purchase College $40,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Purchase College 65%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Purchase College $22,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Purchase College $232
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Purchase College 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Purchase College
    • Visual and Performing Arts (37%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (22%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Purchase College Purchase, NY
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Purchase College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Purchase College 3,333
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Purchase College Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Purchase College #351

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Emerson College is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 3,333 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 21.4% lower than at Emerson College ($16,436 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 197.1% higher at Emerson than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $37,853 more per year; $57,056 vs. $19,203).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at SUNY at Purchase College (77% vs. 72%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 158.8% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($26,997 vs. $10,432).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Emerson than at Purchase College (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Purchase College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.36 higher than at Purchase College (3.37).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($232 vs. $242).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 65%).

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

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