Emerson vs. Lesley University

Deciding between Emerson College and Lesley University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Emerson College
Lesley University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Lesley University Cambridge, MA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Lesley University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Lesley University 2,557
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Lesley University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Lesley University
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Emerson -
  • Lesley University -
  • Status
  • Emerson Non-profit
  • Lesley University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Emerson
  • Lesley University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • Room & Board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Lesley University $19,920
  • Average Net Price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Lesley University $32,587
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Lesley University $19,167
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Lesley University 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Lesley University 2,526
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Lesley University 2,447
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Lesley University 96.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Lesley University 7.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Lesley University
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Lesley University
  • Average High School GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Lesley University 3.31
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Lesley University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Lesley University Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Lesley University
  • ACT Range
  • Emerson 29/32
  • Lesley University
  • SAT Range
  • Emerson 1270/1420
  • Lesley University
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Lesley University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Lesley University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Lesley University 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Lesley University
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (20%)
    • Psychology (20%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Lesley University 49%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Lesley University $38,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Lesley University 63%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Lesley University $24,320
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Lesley University $251

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Emerson 29%
  • Lesley University 23%
  • % Women
  • Emerson 71%
  • Lesley University 77%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Emerson Medium
  • Lesley University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Emerson No
  • Lesley University No
  • % White
  • Emerson 67%
  • Lesley University 67%
  • % Asian
  • Emerson 4%
  • Lesley University 4%
  • % Black
  • Emerson 3%
  • Lesley University 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Emerson 11%
  • Lesley University 10%
  • % Native American
  • Emerson 0%
  • Lesley University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Emerson 0%
  • Lesley University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Emerson 4%
  • Lesley University 3%
  • % International
  • Emerson 7%
  • Lesley University 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Emerson 3%
  • Lesley University 6%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Emerson 15%
  • Lesley University 62%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Emerson 67%
  • Lesley University 34%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Emerson Yes
  • Lesley University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Emerson No
  • Lesley University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Emerson Yes
  • Lesley University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Emerson No
  • Lesley University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Emerson No
  • Lesley University No

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Lesley University based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Emerson vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Lesley University? 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 Lesley University than Emerson ($32,587 vs. $53,432).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lesley University are 4.8% lower than at Emerson College ($19,920 vs. $20,920).
  • Emerson College is 66.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $22,800 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $34,256.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 66.6% higher at Emerson than at Lesley University (about $22,800 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $34,256.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 40.9% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($26,997 vs. $19,167).

Emerson vs. Lesley University Admissions comparison

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

  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Lesley University - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Lesley University (3.31).
  • Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Emerson (51.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 7.9% at Lesley University.

Emerson vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Lesley University? 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 Lesley University's (49%).
  • Graduates from Emerson College earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $820 lower median loan debt than Lesley University graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,320).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lesley University graduates ($242 vs. $251).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 63%)

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.