Emerson vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Emerson vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Vassar? 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 Vassar College than Emerson ($29,981 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 12.8% lower than at Emerson College ($18,240 vs. $20,920).
• Vassar College is 24.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $13,974 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.5% higher at Vassar than at Emerson College (about $13,974 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Vassar College (77% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 112.8% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($57,443 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 150 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Vassar 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; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Emerson vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Vassar? 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Vassar College earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $7,720 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($15,780 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($163 vs. $242).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.