Emerson vs. Fitchburg State

Comparable Facts

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

Fitchburg State University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Fitchburg State University is in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Fitchburg State University 11:1.

Emerson vs. Fitchburg State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Fitchburg State? 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 Fitchburg State University than Emerson ($15,340 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 26.1% lower than at Emerson College ($15,452 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 402.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $45,710 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 227.4% higher at Emerson than at Fitchburg State University (about $39,630 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at Emerson College (92% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 134% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($26,997 vs. $11,539).

Emerson vs. Fitchburg State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 200 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Fitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Fitchburg State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 13.5% at Fitchburg State.

Emerson vs. Fitchburg State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Fitchburg State? 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 Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Emerson College earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $815 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($22,685 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($234 vs. $242).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 65%)

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.