Yale vs. Emerson

Comparable Facts

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

Yale University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Yale vs. Emerson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale 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 Yale University than Emerson ($22,408 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Yale University are 4.9% lower than at Emerson College ($19,900 vs. $20,920).
• Yale University is 17.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $10,194 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.9% higher at Yale than at Emerson College (about $10,194 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Yale University (77% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 144.1% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($65,892 vs. $26,997).

Yale vs. Emerson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Yale 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 Yale.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Yale University (1520) is 170 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Yale 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: Yale University 1470/1570; Emerson College 1270/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Emerson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Yale vs. Emerson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $69,200 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($13,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($139 vs. $242).
• More Yale graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.