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#21 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

Emerson Admission Requirements

Boston, Massachusetts

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Your chances of getting into Emerson College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

42.7%
Admission Difficulty for Emerson College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Emerson is 42.7%.  Its admission rate is the 18th lowest in Massachusetts and the 179th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Emerson and can you get accepted?

Emerson is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 5,176 out of the 12,109 who applied were admitted.

Emerson College typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.73. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Emerson?

43% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Emerson College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.73 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1340 on the SAT
  • Score 31 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Emerson GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.73

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Emerson College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Emerson are to have around a 3.73 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Emerson will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Emerson is 3.73 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #19 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Emerson is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Emerson SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Emerson College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 22% of students submitted SAT scores and 8% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1250-1430

Applicants Submitting SAT 

22%
SAT Scores for Emerson College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 650
Math 25th Percentile 600
Composite 25th Percentile 1250
SAT Scores for Emerson College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 730
Math 75th Percentile 700
Composite 75th Percentile 1430
Average SAT Score 1340

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Emerson College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Emerson is 1340 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1250-1430. Students who get into Emerson College score in the top 18 percent of all SAT test takers..  Emerson ranks #18 in the state of Massachusetts and #140 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1340 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Emerson regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1250 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1250, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1160, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Emerson College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1340 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1340, you have around a 43% chance of being admitted. A 1430 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 59% chance of getting in.

Emerson College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1430 and Above Good >59%
1340 to 1430 Avg + 43%-59%
1250 to 1340 Avg - 28%-43%
1160 to 1250 Reach 17%-28%
Less than 1160 Low <17%
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Emerson ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

30-32 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

8%
ACT Scores for Emerson College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 30
Math 25th Percentile 26
Composite 25th Percentile 30
ACT Scores for Emerson College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 30
Composite 75th Percentile 32
Average ACT Score 31

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Emerson?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Emerson is 31, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 30 and 32.  The school ranks #15 in Massachusetts and #91 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 31. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 30 and score in the score in the top 7 percent nationally.

8 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Emerson College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Emerson College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Emerson for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 31 score has around 43% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 59% with a 32 ACT score.

Emerson College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
32 and Above Good >59%
31 to 32 Avg + 43%-59%
30 to 31 Avg - 28%-43%
29 to 30 Reach 17%-28%
Less than 29 Low <17%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

70% of Emerson College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 29% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Emerson College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 29%
Top 25% of class 70%
Top 50% of class 94%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Emerson College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 8,768 3,341 12,109
Accepted 3,822 1,354 5,176
Acceptance Rate 44% 41% 43%
Enrolled 685 317 1,002
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 23% 19%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 20, 2025

Days left to Apply

91

Applicants have 91 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Feb 20, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Emerson College is $65.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Emerson College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Emerson College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Emerson College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Emerson is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.73 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1340 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1430 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 31 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Emerson College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=165662 IPEDS survey data for Emerson College.

Last updated February 24, 2024