Emerson vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston

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

Emerson College
University of Massachusetts Boston

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 83.8%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: University of Massachusetts-Boston. Average net price is $17,768 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs University of Massachusetts-Boston 40%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs University of Massachusetts-Boston $51,200 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College University of Massachusetts Boston
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
University of Massachusetts-Boston83.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
University of Massachusetts-Boston1070-1290
Average net price
University of Massachusetts-Boston $35,664 less
Emerson$53,432
University of Massachusetts-Boston$17,768
In-state tuition
University of Massachusetts-Boston $41,148 less
Emerson$57,056
University of Massachusetts-Boston$15,908
Out-of-state tuition
University of Massachusetts-Boston $18,931 less
Emerson$57,056
University of Massachusetts-Boston$38,125
Graduation rate
Emerson +41 pts
Emerson81%
University of Massachusetts-Boston40%
Median earnings (10 years)
University of Massachusetts-Boston +$2,000
Emerson$49,200
University of Massachusetts-Boston$51,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 21,262
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 17,813
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 83.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 12.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 3.35
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 1070-1290
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 22-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $15,908
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $38,125
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $19,128
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $17,768
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $14,042
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 40%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $51,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $22,060
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston $228
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston 15,575
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • University of Massachusetts-Boston #438

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (15,575 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 Boston is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Boston are 8.6% lower than at Emerson College ($19,128 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 49.7% higher at Emerson than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $18,931 more per year; $57,056 vs. $38,125).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at Emerson College (88% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 92.3% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($26,997 vs. $14,042).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Emerson than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (30 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and University of Massachusetts-Boston.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.38 higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $1,440 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($22,060 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($228 vs. $242).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 58%).

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

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