Emerson vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Emerson vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or RPI? 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than Emerson ($38,887 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 13.4% lower than at Emerson College ($18,120 vs. $20,920).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 12.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $7,025 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.3% higher at RPI than at Emerson College (about $7,025 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Emerson College (95% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 61.2% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($43,517 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 90 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming RPI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Emerson vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and RPI? 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).

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $33,300 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($242 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.