Emerson vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emerson College is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

Emerson vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Elms College? 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms than Emerson ($19,870 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 25.4% lower than at Emerson College ($15,605 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 31.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $13,731 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.7% higher at Emerson than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $13,731 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 25.2% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($33,794 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 110 points higher than at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

Emerson vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Elms College? 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from Emerson College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 61%)

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.