Emerson vs. U of R

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

Emerson College
University of Rochester

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: U of R (40.1% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: U of R. Average net price is $40,462 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs U of R 83%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs U of R $71,000 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College University of Rochester
Acceptance rate
U of R more selective
Emerson51.3%
U of R40.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
U of R higher
Emerson1270-1420
U of R1410-1540
Average net price
U of R $12,970 less
Emerson$53,432
U of R$40,462
In-state tuition
Emerson $10,024 less
Emerson$57,056
U of R$67,080
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $10,024 less
Emerson$57,056
U of R$67,080
Graduation rate
U of R +2 pts
Emerson81%
U of R83%
Median earnings (10 years)
U of R +$21,800
Emerson$49,200
U of R$71,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • U of R 21,384
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • U of R 8,570
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • U of R 40.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • U of R 15.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • U of R 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • U of R 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • U of R 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • U of R A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • U of R Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • U of R Low
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • U of R 1410-1540
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • U of R 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • U of R Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • U of R Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • U of R $67,080
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • U of R $67,080
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • U of R $19,792
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • U of R $40,462
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • U of R $45,500
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • U of R 72%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • U of R 83%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • U of R $71,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • U of R 79%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • U of R $24,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • U of R $253
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • U of R 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • U of R
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • U of R Rochester, NY
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • U of R Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • U of R 11,946
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • U of R Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • U of R #56

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rochester are 5.4% lower than at Emerson College ($19,792 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.6% higher at U of R than at Emerson College (about $10,024 more per year; $67,080 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at University of Rochester (77% vs. 72%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 68.5% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($45,500 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at U of R than at Emerson (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and U of R.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at U of R average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 15.4% at U of R.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,500).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($242 vs. $253).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 79%).

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

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