Emerson vs. UMass

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); University of Massachusetts Amherst is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1.

Emerson vs. UMass Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or UMass? 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst than Emerson ($22,948 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 20.1% lower than at Emerson College ($16,710 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 221% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $39,284 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.1% higher at Emerson than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $16,607 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Amherst than at Emerson College (81% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 105.9% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($26,997 vs. $13,110).

Emerson vs. UMass Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson or UMass? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UMass and Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 60 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming UMass students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Emerson College 1270/1420; University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Emerson College 29/32; University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; UMass - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMass students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 17.9% at UMass.

Emerson vs. UMass Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and UMass? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($242 vs. $248).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 76%)

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.