Emerson vs. Colgate

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Colgate University in Hamilton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emerson College is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Emerson vs. Colgate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Colgate? 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 Colgate University than Emerson ($28,736 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 15.8% lower than at Emerson College ($17,610 vs. $20,920).
• Colgate University is 23.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $13,250 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.2% higher at Colgate than at Emerson College (about $13,250 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Colgate University (77% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 116.1% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($58,334 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Colgate Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colgate University (1490) is 140 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Colgate students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Colgate University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Colgate University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Colgate - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colgate students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Emerson vs. Colgate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Colgate? 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).

• Colgate University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $26,100 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $7,375 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($16,125 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($166 vs. $242).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.