Emerson vs. Penn

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

Emerson College
University of Pennsylvania

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Penn (5.4% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn. Average net price is $23,570 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Penn 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Penn $123,600 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College University of Pennsylvania
Acceptance rate
Penn more selective
Emerson51.3%
Penn5.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Penn higher
Emerson1270-1420
Penn1510-1570
Average net price
Penn $29,862 less
Emerson$53,432
Penn$23,570
In-state tuition
Emerson $11,630 less
Emerson$57,056
Penn$68,686
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $11,630 less
Emerson$57,056
Penn$68,686
Graduation rate
Penn +15 pts
Emerson81%
Penn96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Penn +$74,400
Emerson$49,200
Penn$123,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Penn 65,226
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Penn 3,523
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Penn 5.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Penn 68%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Penn 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Penn 35
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Penn 3.95
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Penn A
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Penn Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Penn Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Penn 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Penn 34-36
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Penn Required
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Penn Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Penn $68,686
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Penn $68,686
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Penn $19,174
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Penn $23,570
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Penn $65,458
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Penn 51%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Penn 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Penn $123,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Penn 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Penn $20,633
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Penn $213
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Penn 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Penn
    • Business (26%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Penn Philadelphia, PA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Penn Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Penn 29,109
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Penn Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Penn #23

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 8.3% lower than at Emerson College ($19,174 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 20.4% higher at Penn than at Emerson College (about $11,630 more per year; $68,686 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at University of Pennsylvania (77% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 142.5% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($65,458 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Penn than at Emerson (35 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Emerson, required at Penn.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Penn average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 68% at Penn.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $2,867 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($20,633 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($213 vs. $242).
  • More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 80%).

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

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