Emerson vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emerson College is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Emerson vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or St Olaf? 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 St Olaf College than Emerson ($26,756 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 34.8% lower than at Emerson College ($13,630 vs. $20,920).
• St Olaf College is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $2,704 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at St Olaf than at Emerson College (about $2,704 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 67% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($45,098 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 40 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Emerson students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at St Olaf (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Emerson vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and St Olaf? 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).

• St Olaf College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 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 St Olaf graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.