Emerson vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Emerson vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Wellesley? 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 Wellesley College than Emerson ($22,174 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emerson College are 0.5% lower than at Wellesley College ($20,920 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 17.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $10,120 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.7% higher at Wellesley than at Emerson College (about $10,120 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Wellesley College (77% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 137.5% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($64,116 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 160 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Wellesley 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; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley 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 Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Emerson vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Wellesley? 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $18,900 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $14,600 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($8,900 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($92 vs. $242).
• More Wellesley 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.