Emerson vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Emerson vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Drexel? 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 Drexel University than Emerson ($42,801 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 13.5% lower than at Emerson College ($18,096 vs. $20,920).
• Drexel University is 9.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $5,356 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at Drexel than at Emerson College (about $5,356 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drexel University students is 29.8% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($35,051 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 10 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Emerson vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Drexel? 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 Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $28,200 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,743 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($242 vs. $271).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 77%)

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.