Emerson vs. Bryn Mawr

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emerson College is larger than Bryn Mawr based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 1,679 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Bryn Mawr College is in Bryn Mawr, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bryn Mawr College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Bryn Mawr College 8:1.

Emerson vs. Bryn Mawr Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr College than Emerson ($33,221 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bryn Mawr College are 7.3% lower than at Emerson College ($19,400 vs. $20,920).
• Bryn Mawr College is 15.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $8,864 more per year; $65,920.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at Bryn Mawr than at Emerson College (about $8,864 more per year; $65,920.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Bryn Mawr College (77% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bryn Mawr College students is 85.3% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($50,029 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Bryn Mawr Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bryn Mawr College (1400) is 50 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Bryn Mawr students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Bryn Mawr College 1280/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Bryn Mawr College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Bryn Mawr - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Bryn Mawr Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bryn Mawr students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Bryn Mawr (29.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 31.5% at Bryn Mawr.

Emerson vs. Bryn Mawr Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Bryn Mawr? 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).

• Bryn Mawr College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Bryn Mawr College earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,500 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Bryn Mawr graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bryn Mawr graduates ($242 vs. $268).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bryn Mawr students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 79%)

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.