Emerson vs. Northeastern

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

Emerson vs. Northeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Northeastern? 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 Northeastern University than Emerson ($34,207 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University are 6.4% lower than at Emerson College ($19,580 vs. $20,920).
• Northeastern University is 16% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $9,106 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16% higher at Northeastern than at Emerson College (about $9,106 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Northeastern University (77% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 86.8% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($50,421 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Northeastern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University (1490) is 140 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Northeastern 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; Northeastern University 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Northeastern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Northeastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

Emerson vs. Northeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Northeastern? 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 Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $20,300 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $4,375 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($242 vs. $288).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 79%)

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.