Emerson vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Emerson vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Hamilton 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 Hamilton College than Emerson ($28,719 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 16.3% lower than at Emerson College ($17,510 vs. $20,920).
• Hamilton College is 20.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $11,904 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.9% higher at Hamilton College than at Emerson College (about $11,904 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Hamilton College (77% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 105.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($55,511 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 150 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Emerson vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Hamilton 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).

• Hamilton College's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $29,800 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $7,740 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($15,760 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($162 vs. $242).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.