AU vs. Emerson

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Emerson College in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Emerson College 14:1.

AU vs. Emerson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Emerson? 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 American University than Emerson ($39,676 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 14% lower than at Emerson College ($17,982 vs. $20,920).
• American University is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $1,715 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at AU than at Emerson College (about $1,715 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at American University (77% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 34.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($36,349 vs. $26,997).

AU vs. Emerson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Emerson? 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 Emerson and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 20 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming AU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Emerson (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Emerson College 1270/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Emerson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at AU (3.7).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

AU vs. Emerson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Emerson? 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).

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($242 vs. $250).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 80%)

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.