Emerson vs. Worcester State University

Emerson College and Worcester State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
Worcester State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 88%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1150.
  • Cheaper after aid: Worcester State University. Average net price is $12,778 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Worcester State University 47%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Worcester State University $49,200 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Worcester State University
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
Worcester State University88%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
Worcester State University1026-1283
Average net price
Worcester State University $40,654 less
Emerson$53,432
Worcester State University$12,778
In-state tuition
Worcester State University $45,270 less
Emerson$57,056
Worcester State University$11,786
Out-of-state tuition
Worcester State University $39,190 less
Emerson$57,056
Worcester State University$17,866
Graduation rate
Emerson +34 pts
Emerson81%
Worcester State University47%
Median earnings (10 years)
Emerson +$0
Emerson$49,200
Worcester State University$49,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Worcester State University 5,156
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Worcester State University 4,537
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Worcester State University 88%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Worcester State University 16.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Worcester State University 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Worcester State University
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Worcester State University 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Worcester State University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Worcester State University Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Worcester State University
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Worcester State University 1026-1283
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Worcester State University
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Worcester State University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Worcester State University $11,786
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Worcester State University $17,866
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Worcester State University $14,307
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Worcester State University $12,778
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Worcester State University $9,464
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Worcester State University 80%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Worcester State University 47%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Worcester State University $49,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Worcester State University 66%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Worcester State University $20,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Worcester State University $206
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Worcester State University 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Worcester State University
    • Business (21%)
    • Psychology (15%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Worcester State University Worcester, MA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Worcester State University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Worcester State University 5,745
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Worcester State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Worcester State University #558

Comparable Facts

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

Worcester State University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (5,745 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Worcester State University is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Worcester State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Worcester State University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Worcester State University are 31.6% lower than at Emerson College ($14,307 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 219.4% higher at Emerson than at Worcester State University (about $39,190 more per year; $57,056 vs. $17,866).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Worcester State University than at Emerson College (80% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 185.3% larger than aid received by Worcester State University students ($26,997 vs. $9,464).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Worcester State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.43 higher than at Worcester State University (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 16.7% at Worcester State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($206 vs. $242).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Worcester State University students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 66%).

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

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