Emerson vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Providence College 11:1.

Emerson vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Providence? 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 Providence College than Emerson ($48,618 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Providence College are 14.7% lower than at Emerson College ($17,840 vs. $20,920).
• Providence College is 11.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $6,494 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.4% higher at Providence than at Emerson College (about $6,494 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at Emerson College (83% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Providence College students is 18.1% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($31,873 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Providence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 30 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Emerson students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Providence (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Providence (50.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Emerson vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Providence? 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).

• Providence College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Providence College earn a median of about $18,800 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,000 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.