Emerson vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emerson College is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Emerson vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Purchase College? 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Emerson ($18,211 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 21.4% lower than at Emerson College ($16,436 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 537.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $48,103 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 197.1% higher at Emerson than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $37,853 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at SUNY at Purchase College (77% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 158.8% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($26,997 vs. $10,432).

Emerson vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 70 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Emerson vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Purchase College? 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Emerson College earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($232 vs. $242).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 65%)

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.