Emerson vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Union College in Schenectady, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emerson College is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Union College 9:1.

Emerson vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Union College? 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 Union College than Emerson ($42,137 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 18.7% lower than at Emerson College ($17,010 vs. $20,920).
• Union College is 21% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $11,983 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at Union College than at Emerson College (about $11,983 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Emerson College (96% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 57.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($42,534 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Union College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson or Union College? 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 Union College and Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 50 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Union College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Emerson vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Union College? 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).

• Union College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $25,000 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 80%)

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.