Emerson vs. Ithaca College

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Ithaca College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 4,767 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Emerson vs. Ithaca College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Ithaca 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 Ithaca College than Emerson ($35,253 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ithaca College are 22.6% lower than at Emerson College ($16,192 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 6.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ithaca College (about $3,516 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $53,540.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.6% higher at Emerson than at Ithaca College (about $3,516 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $53,540.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ithaca College than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ithaca College students is 23.9% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($33,450 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Ithaca College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 40 points higher than at Ithaca College (1310).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Ithaca College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Ithaca College 1230/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Ithaca College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Ithaca College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Ithaca College Feb 1, 2027.
• Ithaca College has a higher acceptance rate (69%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 12.3% at Ithaca College.

Emerson vs. Ithaca College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Ithaca 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 Ithaca College's (74%).
• Graduates from Ithaca College earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Ithaca College graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ithaca College graduates ($242 vs. $266).
• More Ithaca College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.