Emerson vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (8,238 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

Emerson vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Jefferson? 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 Thomas Jefferson University than Emerson ($29,325 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 24.3% lower than at Emerson College ($15,834 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 20.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Jefferson (about $9,551 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $47,505.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.1% higher at Emerson than at Thomas Jefferson University (about $9,551 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $47,505.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 29.7% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($35,007 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 100 points higher than at Jefferson (1250).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have the same average high school GPA (3.73) as students at Jefferson (3.73).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Emerson vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $73,700 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($12,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($129 vs. $242).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.