Wesleyan University vs. Emerson

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 4,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Wesleyan University vs. Emerson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University than Emerson ($23,025 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wesleyan University are 5% lower than at Emerson College ($19,872 vs. $20,920).
• Wesleyan University is 23.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $13,286 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.3% higher at Wesleyan University than at Emerson College (about $13,286 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Wesleyan University (77% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 144.5% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($65,995 vs. $26,997).

Wesleyan University vs. Emerson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wesleyan University (1480) is 130 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Wesleyan University 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: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; Emerson College 1270/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; Emerson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Wesleyan University (16.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Wesleyan University vs. Emerson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University 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).

• Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Wesleyan University earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($17,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($180 vs. $242).
• More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.