Emerson vs. Rowan University

Deciding between Emerson College and Rowan University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Emerson College
Rowan University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Rowan University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Rowan University 21,026
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Rowan University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Rowan University #270
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Emerson -
  • Rowan University -
  • Status
  • Emerson Non-profit
  • Rowan University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Emerson
  • Rowan University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Rowan University $16,574
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Rowan University $26,932
  • Room & Board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Rowan University $16,928
  • Average Net Price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Rowan University $23,761
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Rowan University $12,419
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Rowan University 93%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Rowan University 19,593
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Rowan University 15,216
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Rowan University 77.7%
  • Enrolled
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Rowan University 23%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Rowan University 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Rowan University 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Rowan University 3.44
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Rowan University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Rowan University Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Rowan University
  • ACT Range
  • Emerson 29/32
  • Rowan University 23/29
  • SAT Range
  • Emerson 1270/1420
  • Rowan University 1110/1310
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Rowan University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Rowan University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Rowan University 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Rowan University
    • Education (17%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Rowan University 68%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Rowan University $53,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Rowan University 67%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Rowan University $20,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Rowan University $206
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Emerson 29%
  • Rowan University 49%
  • % Women
  • Emerson 71%
  • Rowan University 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Emerson Medium
  • Rowan University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Emerson No
  • Rowan University No
  • % White
  • Emerson 67%
  • Rowan University 69%
  • % Asian
  • Emerson 4%
  • Rowan University 4%
  • % Black
  • Emerson 3%
  • Rowan University 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • Emerson 11%
  • Rowan University 10%
  • % Native American
  • Emerson 0%
  • Rowan University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Emerson 0%
  • Rowan University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Emerson 4%
  • Rowan University 3%
  • % International
  • Emerson 7%
  • Rowan University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Emerson 3%
  • Rowan University 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Emerson 15%
  • Rowan University 89%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Emerson 67%
  • Rowan University 7%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Emerson Yes
  • Rowan University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Emerson No
  • Rowan University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Emerson Yes
  • Rowan University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Emerson No
  • Rowan University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Emerson No
  • Rowan University Yes

Comparable Facts

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

Rowan University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (21,026 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Rowan University is in Glassboro, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rowan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Rowan University 17:1.

Emerson vs. Rowan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Rowan University? 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 Rowan University than Emerson ($23,761 vs. $53,432).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rowan University are 19.1% lower than at Emerson College ($16,928 vs. $20,920).
  • Emerson College is 244.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rowan University (about $40,482 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $16,574.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 111.9% higher at Emerson than at Rowan University (about $30,124 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $26,932.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rowan University than at Emerson College (93% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 117.4% larger than aid received by Rowan University students ($26,997 vs. $12,419).

Emerson vs. Rowan University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 140 points higher than at Rowan University (1210).
  • Incoming Emerson students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Rowan University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Rowan University 1110/1310.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Rowan University 23/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Rowan University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Rowan University (3.44).
  • Rowan University has a higher acceptance rate (77.7%) than Emerson (51.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 23% at Rowan University.

Emerson vs. Rowan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Rowan University? 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 Rowan University's (68%).
  • Graduates from Rowan University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,300 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rowan University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Rowan University graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($206 vs. $242).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rowan University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 67%)

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.