Emerson vs. EC

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Elmira College is in Elmira, NY (Small City setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Elmira College 11:1.

Emerson vs. EC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or EC? 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 Elmira College than Emerson ($23,682 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 30.4% lower than at Emerson College ($14,550 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 46.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $18,080 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.4% higher at Emerson than at Elmira College (about $18,080 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elmira College students is 6.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($28,780 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. EC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 110 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Elmira College 1090/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Elmira College 26/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; EC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 12.3% at EC.

Emerson vs. EC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and EC? 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 Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Emerson College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 72%)

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.