Emerson vs. Vassar

Emerson College and Vassar College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
Vassar College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Vassar (18.6% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1500 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Vassar. Average net price is $29,981 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Vassar 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Vassar $58,400 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Vassar College
Acceptance rate
Vassar more selective
Emerson51.3%
Vassar18.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Vassar higher
Emerson1270-1420
Vassar1450-1550
Average net price
Vassar $23,451 less
Emerson$53,432
Vassar$29,981
In-state tuition
Emerson $13,974 less
Emerson$57,056
Vassar$71,030
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $13,974 less
Emerson$57,056
Vassar$71,030
Graduation rate
Vassar +10 pts
Emerson81%
Vassar91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Vassar +$9,200
Emerson$49,200
Vassar$58,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Vassar 12,447
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Vassar 2,311
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Vassar 18.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Vassar 28.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Vassar 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Vassar 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Vassar 3.86
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Vassar A
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Vassar Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Vassar Very High
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Vassar 1450-1550
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Vassar 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Vassar Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Vassar Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Vassar $71,030
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Vassar $71,030
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Vassar $18,240
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Vassar $29,981
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Vassar $57,443
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Vassar 55%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Vassar 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Vassar $58,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Vassar 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Vassar $15,780
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Vassar $163
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Vassar 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Vassar
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Vassar Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Vassar Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Vassar 2,462
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Vassar Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Vassar #46

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,462 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 12.8% lower than at Emerson College ($18,240 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 24.5% higher at Vassar than at Emerson College (about $13,974 more per year; $71,030 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Vassar College (77% vs. 55%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 112.8% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($57,443 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Vassar than at Emerson (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Vassar.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Vassar average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $7,720 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($15,780 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($163 vs. $242).
  • More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (92% 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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