Emerson vs. Wellesley

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

Emerson College
Wellesley College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Wellesley (14% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Wellesley. Average net price is $22,174 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Wellesley 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Wellesley $68,100 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Wellesley College
Acceptance rate
Wellesley more selective
Emerson51.3%
Wellesley14%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wellesley higher
Emerson1270-1420
Wellesley1460-1560
Average net price
Wellesley $31,258 less
Emerson$53,432
Wellesley$22,174
In-state tuition
Emerson $10,120 less
Emerson$57,056
Wellesley$67,176
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $10,120 less
Emerson$57,056
Wellesley$67,176
Graduation rate
Wellesley +11 pts
Emerson81%
Wellesley92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Wellesley +$18,900
Emerson$49,200
Wellesley$68,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Wellesley 8,714
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Wellesley 1,224
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Wellesley 14%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Wellesley 47.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Wellesley 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Wellesley 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Wellesley 3.86
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Wellesley A
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Wellesley Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Wellesley Very High
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Wellesley 1460-1560
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Wellesley 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Wellesley Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Wellesley Jan 8, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Wellesley $67,176
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Wellesley $21,024
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Wellesley $22,174
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Wellesley $64,116
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Wellesley 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Wellesley 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Wellesley $68,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Wellesley 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Wellesley $8,900
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Wellesley $92
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Wellesley 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Wellesley
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Wellesley Wellesley, MA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Wellesley Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Wellesley 2,407
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Wellesley Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Wellesley #18

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,407 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emerson College are 0.5% lower than at Wellesley College ($20,920 vs. $21,024).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.7% higher at Wellesley than at Emerson College (about $10,120 more per year; $67,176 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Wellesley College (77% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 137.5% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($64,116 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Wellesley than at Emerson (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Wellesley.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Wellesley 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. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $14,600 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($8,900 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($92 vs. $242).
  • More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (86% 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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