USF vs. Emerson

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

University of San Francisco
Emerson College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 61.7%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1290.
  • Cheaper after aid: USF. Average net price is $45,443 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: USF 70% vs Emerson 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: USF $70,400 vs Emerson $49,200 (median).
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Key differences

University of San Francisco Emerson College
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
USF61.7%
Emerson51.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
USF1190-1390
Emerson1270-1420
Average net price
USF $7,989 less
USF$45,443
Emerson$53,432
In-state tuition
Emerson $3,436 less
USF$60,492
Emerson$57,056
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $3,436 less
USF$60,492
Emerson$57,056
Graduation rate
Emerson +11 pts
USF70%
Emerson81%
Median earnings (10 years)
USF +$21,200
USF$70,400
Emerson$49,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • USF 24,888
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Admitted
  • USF 15,358
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Acceptance rate
  • USF 61.7%
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • USF 6%
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • USF 1290
  • Emerson 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • USF 27
  • Emerson 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • USF 3.57
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • USF A-
  • Emerson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • USF Difficult
  • Emerson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • USF Low
  • Emerson Low
  • SAT range
  • USF 1190-1390
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • ACT range
  • USF 25-30
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Submit test scores
  • USF Test optional
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • USF Jan 15, 2027
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • USF $60,492
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • USF $60,492
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Room & board
  • USF $19,764
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Average net price
  • USF $45,443
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Average grant aid
  • USF $34,723
  • Emerson $26,997
  • % receiving grant aid
  • USF 95%
  • Emerson 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • USF 70%
  • Emerson 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • USF $70,400
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • USF 73%
  • Emerson 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • USF $25,000
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • USF $258
  • Emerson $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • USF 11:1
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • USF
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Location
  • USF San Francisco, CA
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • USF Large City
  • Emerson Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • USF 8,913
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Type
  • USF Private 4 Year
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • USF #115
  • Emerson #208

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Francisco is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (8,913 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of San Francisco is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Francisco 11:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Francisco are 5.5% lower than at Emerson College ($19,764 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at USF than at Emerson College (about $3,436 more per year; $60,492 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at Emerson College (95% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 28.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($34,723 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Emerson than at USF (30 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both USF and Emerson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: USF Jan 15, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at USF (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6% at USF vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($242 vs. $258).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 73%).

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

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