Emerson vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Villanova University in Villanova, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Villanova University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (10,041 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Villanova University is in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Villanova University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Villanova University 10:1.

Emerson vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Villanova? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Villanova University than Emerson ($37,201 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Villanova University are 15.4% lower than at Emerson College ($17,694 vs. $20,920).
• Villanova University is 18.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $10,720 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.8% higher at Villanova than at Emerson College (about $10,720 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Villanova University (77% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Villanova University students is 76.3% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($47,609 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson or Villanova? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Villanova and Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Villanova University (1450) is 100 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Villanova students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Villanova students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Villanova (27%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Emerson vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Villanova? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Villanova University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Villanova University earn a median of about $35,900 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,100 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,997 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,497).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($242 vs. $273).
• More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.