IIT vs. Emerson

Illinois Institute of Technology and Emerson College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Illinois Institute of Technology
Emerson College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 54.9%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1310.
  • Cheaper after aid: IIT. Average net price is $24,796 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: IIT 64% vs Emerson 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IIT $79,300 vs Emerson $49,200 (median).
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Key differences

Illinois Institute of Technology Emerson College
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
IIT54.9%
Emerson51.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IIT higher
IIT1180-1440
Emerson1270-1420
Average net price
IIT $28,636 less
IIT$24,796
Emerson$53,432
In-state tuition
IIT $4,670 less
IIT$52,386
Emerson$57,056
Out-of-state tuition
IIT $4,670 less
IIT$52,386
Emerson$57,056
Graduation rate
Emerson +17 pts
IIT64%
Emerson81%
Median earnings (10 years)
IIT +$30,100
IIT$79,300
Emerson$49,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IIT 12,216
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Admitted
  • IIT 6,710
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Acceptance rate
  • IIT 54.9%
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IIT 7.7%
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IIT 1310
  • Emerson 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • IIT 29
  • Emerson 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • IIT 3.84
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • IIT A-
  • Emerson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • IIT Very High
  • Emerson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • IIT Low
  • Emerson Low
  • SAT range
  • IIT 1180-1440
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • ACT range
  • IIT 26-32
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Submit test scores
  • IIT Test optional
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IIT Mar 1, 2027
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IIT $52,386
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IIT $52,386
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Room & board
  • IIT $17,356
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Average net price
  • IIT $24,796
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Average grant aid
  • IIT $44,547
  • Emerson $26,997
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IIT 100%
  • Emerson 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • IIT 64%
  • Emerson 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IIT $79,300
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • IIT 81%
  • Emerson 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IIT $27,000
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • IIT $279
  • Emerson $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IIT 14:1
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • IIT
    • Engineering (50%)
    • Architecture (20%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (8%)
    • Business (7%)
    • Biology (4%)
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Location
  • IIT Chicago, IL
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • IIT Large City
  • Emerson Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • IIT 8,834
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Type
  • IIT Private 4 Year
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IIT #236
  • Emerson #208

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL with Emerson College in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Illinois Institute of Technology is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (8,834 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Institute of Technology 14:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Institute of Technology are 17% lower than at Emerson College ($17,356 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.9% higher at Emerson than at Illinois Institute of Technology (about $4,670 more per year; $57,056 vs. $52,386).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Institute of Technology than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Institute of Technology students is 65% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($44,547 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Emerson than at IIT (30 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IIT and Emerson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: IIT Mar 1, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IIT average a 3.84 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at IIT vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than IIT graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IIT graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More IIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (81% 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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