DU vs. Emerson

University of Denver and Emerson College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Denver
Emerson College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 77.8%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: DU. Average net price is $45,451 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: DU 78% vs Emerson 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: DU $63,400 vs Emerson $49,200 (median).
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Key differences

University of Denver Emerson College
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
DU77.8%
Emerson51.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
DU1240-1410
Emerson1270-1420
Average net price
DU $7,981 less
DU$45,451
Emerson$53,432
In-state tuition
Emerson $4,342 less
DU$61,398
Emerson$57,056
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $4,342 less
DU$61,398
Emerson$57,056
Graduation rate
Emerson +3 pts
DU78%
Emerson81%
Median earnings (10 years)
DU +$14,200
DU$63,400
Emerson$49,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • DU 18,786
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Admitted
  • DU 14,618
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Acceptance rate
  • DU 77.8%
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • DU 9.1%
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • DU 1330
  • Emerson 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • DU 30
  • Emerson 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • DU 3.72
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • DU A-
  • Emerson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • DU Very High
  • Emerson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • DU
  • Emerson Low
  • SAT range
  • DU 1240-1410
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • ACT range
  • DU 28-33
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Submit test scores
  • DU Test optional
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • DU Jan 15, 2027
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • DU $61,398
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • DU $61,398
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Room & board
  • DU $17,759
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Average net price
  • DU $45,451
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Average grant aid
  • DU $33,955
  • Emerson $26,997
  • % receiving grant aid
  • DU 99%
  • Emerson 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • DU 78%
  • Emerson 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • DU $63,400
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • DU 72%
  • Emerson 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • DU $23,699
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • DU $245
  • Emerson $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • DU 9:1
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • DU
    • Business (42%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Location
  • DU Denver, CO
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • DU Large City
  • Emerson Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • DU 12,813
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Type
  • DU Private 4 Year
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • DU #86
  • Emerson #208

Comparable Facts

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

University of Denver is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Denver 9:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Denver are 15.1% lower than at Emerson College ($17,759 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at DU than at Emerson College (about $4,342 more per year; $61,398 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at Emerson College (99% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 25.8% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($33,955 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Incoming DU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 30) as students at Emerson (30).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both DU and Emerson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at DU (3.72).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $199 lower median loan debt than DU graduates ($23,500 vs. $23,699).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DU graduates ($242 vs. $245).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 72%).

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

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