Emerson vs. RIT

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Rochester Institute of Technology is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1.

Emerson vs. RIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or RIT ? 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 Rochester Institute of Technology than Emerson ($39,534 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 22.8% lower than at Emerson College ($16,142 vs. $20,920).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $2,218 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at RIT than at Emerson College (about $2,218 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Emerson College (98% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 29.9% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($35,077 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. RIT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 30 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming RIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; RIT - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; RIT Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at RIT (3.7).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 16.3% at RIT .

Emerson vs. RIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and RIT ? 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 Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,900 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($23,500 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($242 vs. $289).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 75%)

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.