Emerson vs. Tufts

Comparable Facts

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

Tufts University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Tufts University is in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Tufts University 10:1.

Emerson vs. Tufts Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Tufts? 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 Tufts University than Emerson ($32,367 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tufts University are 11.1% lower than at Emerson College ($18,588 vs. $20,920).
• Tufts University is 23.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $13,648 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.9% higher at Tufts than at Emerson College (about $13,648 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Tufts University (77% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tufts University students is 107.2% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($55,933 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Tufts Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is 170 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Tufts students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Tufts University 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Tufts University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Tufts - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Tufts Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tufts students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Tufts (11.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 45.5% at Tufts.

Emerson vs. Tufts Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Tufts? 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).

• Tufts University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Tufts University earn a median of about $33,900 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tufts University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($18,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($186 vs. $242).
• More Tufts 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.