Emerson vs. Seton Hall University

Deciding between Emerson College and Seton Hall 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
Seton Hall University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Seton Hall University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Seton Hall University 9,571
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Seton Hall University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Seton Hall University #216
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Emerson -
  • Seton Hall University Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Emerson Non-profit
  • Seton Hall University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Emerson
  • Seton Hall University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Seton Hall University $53,170
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Seton Hall University $53,170
  • Room & Board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Seton Hall University $17,970
  • Average Net Price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Seton Hall University $33,896
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Seton Hall University $34,943
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Seton Hall University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Seton Hall University 24,776
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Seton Hall University 18,152
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Seton Hall University 73.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Seton Hall University 8.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Seton Hall University 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Seton Hall University 29
  • Average High School GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Seton Hall University 3.64
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Seton Hall University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Seton Hall University Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Seton Hall University Low
  • ACT Range
  • Emerson 29/32
  • Seton Hall University 27/32
  • SAT Range
  • Emerson 1270/1420
  • Seton Hall University 1220/1390
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Seton Hall University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Seton Hall University Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Seton Hall University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Seton Hall University
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (7%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Seton Hall University 66%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Seton Hall University $62,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Seton Hall University 71%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Seton Hall University $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Seton Hall University $258
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Emerson 29%
  • Seton Hall University 42%
  • % Women
  • Emerson 71%
  • Seton Hall University 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Emerson Medium
  • Seton Hall University High
  • HBCU
  • Emerson No
  • Seton Hall University No
  • % White
  • Emerson 67%
  • Seton Hall University 51%
  • % Asian
  • Emerson 4%
  • Seton Hall University 9%
  • % Black
  • Emerson 3%
  • Seton Hall University 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • Emerson 11%
  • Seton Hall University 19%
  • % Native American
  • Emerson 0%
  • Seton Hall University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Emerson 0%
  • Seton Hall University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Emerson 4%
  • Seton Hall University 3%
  • % International
  • Emerson 7%
  • Seton Hall University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Emerson 3%
  • Seton Hall University 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Emerson 15%
  • Seton Hall University 71%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Emerson 67%
  • Seton Hall University 27%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Seton Hall University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (9,571 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Emerson vs. Seton Hall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Seton Hall 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 Seton Hall University than Emerson ($33,896 vs. $53,432).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seton Hall University are 14.1% lower than at Emerson College ($17,970 vs. $20,920).
  • Emerson College is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Seton Hall University (about $3,886 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $53,170.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at Emerson than at Seton Hall University (about $3,886 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $53,170.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seton Hall University than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seton Hall University students is 29.4% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($34,943 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Seton Hall University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson or Seton Hall 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 Seton Hall University and Emerson.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 40 points higher than at Seton Hall University (1310).
  • Incoming Emerson students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Seton Hall University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Seton Hall University 1220/1390.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Seton Hall University 27/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Seton Hall University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Seton Hall University Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Seton Hall University (3.64).
  • Seton Hall University has a higher acceptance rate (73.3%) than Emerson (51.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 8.8% at Seton Hall University.

Emerson vs. Seton Hall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Seton Hall 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 Seton Hall University's (66%).
  • Graduates from Seton Hall University earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,700 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Seton Hall University graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Seton Hall University graduates ($242 vs. $258).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Seton Hall University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 71%)

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.