Emerson vs. Gordon College

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Gordon College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 1,595 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Gordon College is in Wenham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gordon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Gordon College 10:1.

Emerson vs. Gordon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Gordon 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 Gordon College than Emerson ($25,299 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon College are 36.4% lower than at Emerson College ($13,300 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 85.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon College (about $26,356 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $30,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.9% higher at Emerson than at Gordon College (about $26,356 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $30,700.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gordon College than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 60.7% larger than aid received by Gordon College students ($26,997 vs. $16,802).

Emerson vs. Gordon College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 110 points higher than at Gordon College (1240).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Gordon College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Gordon College 1130/1355.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Gordon College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Gordon College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Gordon College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Gordon College (3.58).
• Gordon College has a higher acceptance rate (69.2%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 21.6% at Gordon College.

Emerson vs. Gordon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Gordon 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).

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Gordon College's (74%).
• Graduates from Emerson College earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Gordon College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Gordon College graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gordon College graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Gordon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 80%)

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.