Emerson vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); University of Rochester is in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; University of Rochester 9:1.

Emerson vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or U of R? 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 Rochester than Emerson ($40,462 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rochester are 5.4% lower than at Emerson College ($19,792 vs. $20,920).
• University of Rochester is 17.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $10,024 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.6% higher at U of R than at Emerson College (about $10,024 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at University of Rochester (77% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 68.5% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($45,500 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson or U of R? 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 U of R and Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 130 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming U of R students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; University of Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; U of R - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman U of R students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than U of R (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 15.4% at U of R.

Emerson vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and U of R? 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).

• University of Rochester's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($242 vs. $253).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 79%)

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.