MHC vs. EMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA with Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Holyoke College is larger than EMU based on total student enrollment (2,275 students vs. 1,154 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Eastern Mennonite University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Mennonite University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; Eastern Mennonite University 9:1.

MHC vs. EMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC or EMU? 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 Eastern Mennonite University than MHC ($25,021 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Mennonite University are 33.1% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($13,170 vs. $19,684).
• Mount Holyoke College is 52.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than EMU (about $23,098 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $43,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.6% higher at MHC than at Eastern Mennonite University (about $23,098 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $43,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Mennonite University than at Mount Holyoke College (96% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 61.9% larger than aid received by Eastern Mennonite University students ($52,418 vs. $32,378).

MHC vs. EMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC or EMU? 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 EMU and MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 140 points higher than at EMU (1320).
• Incoming MHC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at EMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; Eastern Mennonite University 1040/1590.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; Eastern Mennonite University 25/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; EMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at EMU (3.7).
• EMU has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than MHC (36%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 12.4% at EMU.

MHC vs. EMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC and EMU? 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).

• Mount Holyoke College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Eastern Mennonite University's (66%).
• Graduates from Mount Holyoke College earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than EMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $2,244 lower median loan debt than EMU graduates ($21,206 vs. $23,450).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EMU graduates ($219 vs. $242).
• More EMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 77%)

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.