Emerson vs. Fordham

Comparable Facts

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

Fordham University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Emerson vs. Fordham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Fordham? 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 Fordham University than Emerson ($48,190 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emerson College are 13.2% lower than at Fordham University ($20,920 vs. $24,090).
• Fordham University is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $7,859 more per year; $64,915.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at Fordham than at Emerson College (about $7,859 more per year; $64,915.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Emerson College (95% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fordham University students is 33.3% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($35,988 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Fordham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fordham University (1400) is 50 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Fordham students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Fordham University 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Fordham University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Fordham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Fordham (3.67).
• Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

Emerson vs. Fordham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Fordham? 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 Fordham University's (78%).
• Graduates from Fordham University earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,200 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($242 vs. $268).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham 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.