Emerson vs. UMass

Emerson College and University of Massachusetts Amherst side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
University of Massachusetts Amherst

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 59.7%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1410.
  • Cheaper after aid: UMass. Average net price is $22,948 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs UMass 67%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs UMass $55,200 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College University of Massachusetts Amherst
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
UMass59.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UMass higher
Emerson1270-1420
UMass1310-1500
Average net price
UMass $30,484 less
Emerson$53,432
UMass$22,948
In-state tuition
UMass $39,284 less
Emerson$57,056
UMass$17,772
Out-of-state tuition
UMass $16,607 less
Emerson$57,056
UMass$40,449
Graduation rate
Emerson +14 pts
Emerson81%
UMass67%
Median earnings (10 years)
UMass +$6,000
Emerson$49,200
UMass$55,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • UMass 50,261
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • UMass 30,020
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • UMass 59.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • UMass 17.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • UMass 1410
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • UMass 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • UMass 3.99
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • UMass A
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • UMass Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • UMass Low
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • UMass 1310-1500
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • UMass 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • UMass Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • UMass Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • UMass $17,772
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • UMass $40,449
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • UMass $16,710
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • UMass $22,948
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • UMass $13,110
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • UMass 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • UMass 67%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • UMass $55,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • UMass 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • UMass $24,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • UMass $248
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • UMass 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • UMass
    • Business (15%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • UMass Amherst, MA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • UMass Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • UMass 31,726
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • UMass Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • UMass #169

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); University of Massachusetts Amherst is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 20.1% lower than at Emerson College ($16,710 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 41.1% higher at Emerson than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $16,607 more per year; $57,056 vs. $40,449).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at Emerson College (81% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 105.9% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($26,997 vs. $13,110).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at UMass than at Emerson (31 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and UMass.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; UMass Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UMass average a 3.99 high school GPA, 0.26 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 17.9% at UMass.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($242 vs. $248).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 76%).

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

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