Emerson vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Princeton University is in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Princeton University 5:1.

Emerson vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Princeton? 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 Princeton University than Emerson ($15,313 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Princeton University are 3.2% lower than at Emerson College ($20,250 vs. $20,920).
• Princeton University is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $5,632 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Princeton than at Emerson College (about $5,632 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Princeton University (77% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 154.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($68,727 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 200 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Princeton 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; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

Emerson vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Princeton? 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $64,700 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $16,000 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($7,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $165 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($77 vs. $242).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.