Emerson vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emerson College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Emerson vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Olin 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 Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than Emerson ($43,184 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering are 0.5% lower than at Emerson College ($20,810 vs. $20,920).
• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is 16.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $9,342 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at Olin College than at Emerson College (about $9,342 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students is 60.4% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($43,290 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 180 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Olin College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Olin College (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Emerson vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Olin 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).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $8,790 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($14,710 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($152 vs. $242).

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.