USF vs. Emerson

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Francisco is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (8,913 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of San Francisco is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Francisco 11:1; Emerson College 14:1.

USF vs. Emerson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF or Emerson? 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 San Francisco than Emerson ($45,443 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Francisco are 5.5% lower than at Emerson College ($19,764 vs. $20,920).
• University of San Francisco is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $3,436 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at USF than at Emerson College (about $3,436 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at Emerson College (95% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 28.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($34,723 vs. $26,997).

USF vs. Emerson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 60 points higher than at USF (1290).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 1190/1390; Emerson College 1270/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 25/30; Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF - Test optional; Emerson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Jan 15, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at USF (3.57).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6% at USF vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

USF vs. Emerson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF and Emerson? 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).

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than University of San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $21,200 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 73%)

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.