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Emerson College

Emerson College is a private campus in Boston proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. International students are a visible presence at Emerson College — 15% of its 3,870 undergraduates come from outside the U.S.

Compare this schoolFind colleges

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23
family-income band
$31,412
family income
under $30k
$34,742
$30–48k
$39,297
$48–75k
$43,628
$75–110k
$55,833
over $110k

Average net price

$49,1802023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

$30k$35k$40k$45k$50k200820232008: $31,3972009: $30,8452010: $30,3892011: $34,1762012: $36,3782013: $37,3132014: $39,1482015: $41,9982016: $43,9652017: $43,6682018: $45,3652019: $45,1712020: $45,6092021: $49,4662022: $46,7662023: $49,180$49,180
$30k$40k$50k200820232008: $31,3972009: $30,8452010: $30,3892011: $34,1762012: $36,3782013: $37,3132014: $39,1482015: $41,9982016: $43,9652017: $43,6682018: $45,3652019: $45,1712020: $45,6092021: $49,4662022: $46,7662023: $49,180$49,180

Average net price at Emerson College rose from $31,397 (2008) to $49,180 (2023).

Average net price — data
YearNet price
2008$31,397
2009$30,845
2010$30,389
2011$34,176
2012$36,378
2013$37,313
2014$39,148
2015$41,998
2016$43,965
2017$43,668
2018$45,365
2019$45,171
2020$45,609
2021$49,466
2022$46,766
2023$49,180
IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$80,3992024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

$40k$50k$60k$70k$80k200920242009: $43,0072010: $44,5742011: $46,7102012: $48,5332013: $51,1582014: $53,4992015: $55,8182016: $59,7342017: $62,3892018: $65,1242019: $68,3502020: $72,1192021: $74,2882022: $75,7772023: $77,1532024: $80,399$80,399
$40k$60k$80k200920242009: $43,0072010: $44,5742011: $46,7102012: $48,5332013: $51,1582014: $53,4992015: $55,8182016: $59,7342017: $62,3892018: $65,1242019: $68,3502020: $72,1192021: $74,2882022: $75,7772023: $77,1532024: $80,399$80,399

Total cost at Emerson College rose from $43,007 (2009) to $80,399 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
YearCost
2009$43,007
2010$44,574
2011$46,710
2012$48,533
2013$51,158
2014$53,499
2015$55,818
2016$59,734
2017$62,389
2018$65,124
2019$68,350
2020$72,119
2021$74,288
2022$75,777
2023$77,153
2024$80,399
IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

$20k$30k$40k$50k200020232000: $19,9442001: $20,2242002: $21,5142003: $22,5482004: $22,9762005: $24,6222006: $25,8602007: $27,3662008: $28,8482013: $35,7302014: $37,3502015: $41,0522016: $42,9082017: $44,8322018: $46,8522019: $49,4322020: $51,1482021: $52,1902022: $53,2322023: $55,392$55,392
$20k$40k200020232000: $19,9442001: $20,2242002: $21,5142003: $22,5482004: $22,9762005: $24,6222006: $25,8602007: $27,3662008: $28,8482013: $35,7302014: $37,3502015: $41,0522016: $42,9082017: $44,8322018: $46,8522019: $49,4322020: $51,1482021: $52,1902022: $53,2322023: $55,392$55,392

Tuition & fees — data
YearTuition & fees
2000$19,944
2001$20,224
2002$21,514
2003$22,548
2004$22,976
2005$24,622
2006$25,860
2007$27,366
2008$28,848
2013$35,730
2014$37,350
2015$41,052
2016$42,908
2017$44,832
2018$46,852
2019$49,432
2020$51,148
2021$52,190
2022$53,232
2023$55,392
IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)
Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Emerson College reports published tuition of $57,056 in this record. Emerson College's $57,056 tuition excludes other attendance costs; aid can reduce the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Emerson College reports 3,870 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

77.1% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Emerson College within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart
77.1%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

60%70%80%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 61.7%entered 1992: 55.9%entered 1993: 63.9%entered 1994: 63.4%entered 1995: 63.7%entered 1996: 70.2%entered 1997: 66.4%entered 1998: 68.1%entered 1999: 70%entered 2000: 73.8%entered 2001: 71.9%entered 2002: 76.2%entered 2003: 77.6%entered 2004: 80%entered 2005: 81.3%entered 2006: 81.7%entered 2007: 81.5%entered 2008: 79.7%entered 2009: 79.8%entered 2010: 80.5%entered 2011: 80.8%entered 2012: 78.8%entered 2013: 82.1%entered 2014: 78.5%entered 2015: 78.8%entered 2016: 77.2%entered 2017: 79.3%entered 2018: 77.1%77.1%
60%70%80%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 61.7%entered 1992: 55.9%entered 1993: 63.9%entered 1994: 63.4%entered 1995: 63.7%entered 1996: 70.2%entered 1997: 66.4%entered 1998: 68.1%entered 1999: 70%entered 2000: 73.8%entered 2001: 71.9%entered 2002: 76.2%entered 2003: 77.6%entered 2004: 80%entered 2005: 81.3%entered 2006: 81.7%entered 2007: 81.5%entered 2008: 79.7%entered 2009: 79.8%entered 2010: 80.5%entered 2011: 80.8%entered 2012: 78.8%entered 2013: 82.1%entered 2014: 78.5%entered 2015: 78.8%entered 2016: 77.2%entered 2017: 79.3%entered 2018: 77.1%77.1%

The six-year graduation rate at Emerson College rose from 61.7% (entered 1991) to 77.1% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
YearGraduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort61.7%
1992 cohort55.9%
1993 cohort63.9%
1994 cohort63.4%
1995 cohort63.7%
1996 cohort70.2%
1997 cohort66.4%
1998 cohort68.1%
1999 cohort70%
2000 cohort73.8%
2001 cohort71.9%
2002 cohort76.2%
2003 cohort77.6%
2004 cohort80%
2005 cohort81.3%
2006 cohort81.7%
2007 cohort81.5%
2008 cohort79.7%
2009 cohort79.8%
2010 cohort80.5%
2011 cohort80.8%
2012 cohort78.8%
2013 cohort82.1%
2014 cohort78.5%
2015 cohort78.8%
2016 cohort77.2%
2017 cohort79.3%
2018 cohort77.1%
IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups
key chart
Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree
$10k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $16,500Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $16,000Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $15,292Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $15,292Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $16,375Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $16,375Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $16,375Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $15,942Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $16,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $18,500Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $21,000Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $22,031Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $23,250Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $23,792Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $23,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $23,250Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $23,250Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $23,250Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $23,250Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $23,000$23,000 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $8,375Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $2,625Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $2,750Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $2,813Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $3,750Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $6,500Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $9,250Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $8,250Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $8,250Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $7,500$7,500 left
$10k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $16,500Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $16,000Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $15,292Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $15,292Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $16,375Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $16,375Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $16,375Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $15,942Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $16,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $18,500Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $21,000Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $22,031Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $23,250Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $23,792Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $23,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $23,250Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $23,250Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $23,250Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $23,250Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $23,000$23,000 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $8,375Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $2,625Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $2,750Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $2,813Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $3,750Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $6,500Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $9,250Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $8,250Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $8,250Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $7,500$7,500 left

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
YearCompletedLeft without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)$17,125$8,375
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)$17,125$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)$16,500$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)$16,000$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)$15,292$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)$15,292$2,750
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)$16,375$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)$16,375$2,813
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)$16,375$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)$15,942$3,750
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)$16,500$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)$18,500$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)$21,000$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)$22,031$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)$23,250$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)$23,792$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)$23,500$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)$23,250$9,250
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)$23,250$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)$23,250$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)$23,250$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)$23,000$7,500
NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15
$42,799
6 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13
$53,113
8 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11
$62,832
10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Emerson College admitted 5,325 of 10,378 applicants in Fall 2024. The 51.3% rate describes that application pool.

51.3%
acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle
Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024
400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1270–14201600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Emerson College reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Emerson College’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 660–720 and Math was 610–700 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1270–1420 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score25th50th75th
SAT Reading & Writing660690720
SAT Math610650700
ACT Composite293132

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Emerson College received 10,378 applications and admitted 5,325 (51.3%), with 828 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

51.3%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

35%40%45%50%200120242001: 47%2002: 52.4%2003: 48.4%2004: 48.1%2005: 45.5%2006: 47.2%2007: 45%2008: 36.9%2009: 42.1%2010: 47.2%2011: 48.4%2012: 48.4%2013: 48%2014: 49.2%2015: 49%2016: 48.1%2017: 46.1%2018: 35.6%2019: 33.4%2020: 41%2021: 45.3%2022: 42.8%2023: 47.5%2024: 51.3%51.3%
40%50%200120242001: 47%2002: 52.4%2003: 48.4%2004: 48.1%2005: 45.5%2006: 47.2%2007: 45%2008: 36.9%2009: 42.1%2010: 47.2%2011: 48.4%2012: 48.4%2013: 48%2014: 49.2%2015: 49%2016: 48.1%2017: 46.1%2018: 35.6%2019: 33.4%2020: 41%2021: 45.3%2022: 42.8%2023: 47.5%2024: 51.3%51.3%

Acceptance rate — data
YearAcceptance rate
Fall 200147%
Fall 200252.4%
Fall 200348.4%
Fall 200448.1%
Fall 200545.5%
Fall 200647.2%
Fall 200745%
Fall 200836.9%
Fall 200942.1%
Fall 201047.2%
Fall 201148.4%
Fall 201248.4%
Fall 201348%
Fall 201449.2%
Fall 201549%
Fall 201648.1%
Fall 201746.1%
Fall 201835.6%
Fall 201933.4%
Fall 202041%
Fall 202145.3%
Fall 202242.8%
Fall 202347.5%
Fall 202451.3%
IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1270–1420Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA11001200130014002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 11102002: 11102003: 11102004: 11202005: 11502006: 11302007: 11402008: 11302009: 11102010: 11502011: 11302012: 11502013: 11402014: 11402015: 11002016: 11202017: 12002018: 12002019: 12002020: 11902021: 12002022: 12502023: 12502024: 127012702001: 12902002: 12902003: 13002004: 13102005: 13202006: 13102007: 13302008: 13202009: 13102010: 13302011: 13202012: 13302013: 13202014: 13302015: 13102016: 13302017: 13602018: 13902019: 14102020: 13802021: 14002022: 14302023: 14102024: 14201420
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA11001200130014002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 11102002: 11102003: 11102004: 11202005: 11502006: 11302007: 11402008: 11302009: 11102010: 11502011: 11302012: 11502013: 11402014: 11402015: 11002016: 11202017: 12002018: 12002019: 12002020: 11902021: 12002022: 12502023: 12502024: 127012702001: 12902002: 12902003: 13002004: 13102005: 13202006: 13102007: 13302008: 13202009: 13102010: 13302011: 13202012: 13302013: 13202014: 13302015: 13102016: 13302017: 13602018: 13902019: 14102020: 13802021: 14002022: 14302023: 14102024: 14201420

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year25th75th
Fall 200111101290
Fall 200211101290
Fall 200311101300
Fall 200411201310
Fall 200511501320
Fall 200611301310
Fall 200711401330
Fall 200811301320
Fall 200911101310
Fall 201011501330
Fall 201111301320
Fall 201211501330
Fall 201311401320
Fall 201411401330
Fall 201511001310
Fall 201611201330
Fall 201712001360
Fall 201812001390
Fall 201912001410
Fall 202011901380
Fall 202112001400
Fall 202212501430
Fall 202312501410
Fall 202412701420
IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

29–32Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA2530200120242001: 232002: 242003: 242004: 242005: 252006: 242007: 252008: 252009: 242010: 252011: 252012: 262013: 262014: 262015: 252016: 252017: 262018: 262019: 272020: 272021: 282022: 302023: 302024: 29292001: 292002: 282003: 282004: 282005: 292006: 292007: 292008: 292009: 292010: 302011: 292012: 292013: 302014: 302015: 292016: 302017: 302018: 312019: 312020: 312021: 322022: 322023: 332024: 3232
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA2530200120242001: 232002: 242003: 242004: 242005: 252006: 242007: 252008: 252009: 242010: 252011: 252012: 262013: 262014: 262015: 252016: 252017: 262018: 262019: 272020: 272021: 282022: 302023: 302024: 29292001: 292002: 282003: 282004: 282005: 292006: 292007: 292008: 292009: 292010: 302011: 292012: 292013: 302014: 302015: 292016: 302017: 302018: 312019: 312020: 312021: 322022: 322023: 332024: 3232

ACT middle 50% — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20012329
Fall 20022428
Fall 20032428
Fall 20042428
Fall 20052529
Fall 20062429
Fall 20072529
Fall 20082529
Fall 20092429
Fall 20102530
Fall 20112529
Fall 20122629
Fall 20132630
Fall 20142630
Fall 20152529
Fall 20162530
Fall 20172630
Fall 20182631
Fall 20192731
Fall 20202731
Fall 20212832
Fall 20223032
Fall 20233033
Fall 20242932
IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

3,870Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

3k4k4k200220242002: 2,9952003: 3,0092004: 3,0762005: 3,1652006: 3,2162007: 3,2932008: 3,4182009: 3,4602010: 3,4502011: 3,5712012: 3,6602013: 3,7202014: 3,7572015: 3,7832016: 3,7832017: 3,7992018: 3,8172019: 3,8712020: 3,7022021: 4,1132022: 4,1472023: 4,1452024: 3,8703,870
3k4k4k200220242002: 2,9952003: 3,0092004: 3,0762005: 3,1652006: 3,2162007: 3,2932008: 3,4182009: 3,4602010: 3,4502011: 3,5712012: 3,6602013: 3,7202014: 3,7572015: 3,7832016: 3,7832017: 3,7992018: 3,8172019: 3,8712020: 3,7022021: 4,1132022: 4,1472023: 4,1452024: 3,8703,870

Undergraduate enrollment at Emerson College rose from 2,995 (Fall 2002) to 3,870 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
YearUndergraduates
Fall 20022,995
Fall 20033,009
Fall 20043,076
Fall 20053,165
Fall 20063,216
Fall 20073,293
Fall 20083,418
Fall 20093,460
Fall 20103,450
Fall 20113,571
Fall 20123,660
Fall 20133,720
Fall 20143,757
Fall 20153,783
Fall 20163,783
Fall 20173,799
Fall 20183,817
Fall 20193,871
Fall 20203,702
Fall 20214,113
Fall 20224,147
Fall 20234,145
Fall 20243,870
IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

87%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

80%83%85%88%90%200220232002: 83%2003: 86%2004: 88%2005: 88%2006: 87%2007: 90%2008: 88%2009: 87%2010: 88%2011: 88%2012: 88%2013: 89%2014: 87%2015: 87%2016: 88%2017: 87%2018: 89%2019: 80%2020: 87%2021: 88%2022: 88%2023: 87%87%
80%85%90%200220232002: 83%2003: 86%2004: 88%2005: 88%2006: 87%2007: 90%2008: 88%2009: 87%2010: 88%2011: 88%2012: 88%2013: 89%2014: 87%2015: 87%2016: 88%2017: 87%2018: 89%2019: 80%2020: 87%2021: 88%2022: 88%2023: 87%87%

First-year retention at Emerson College has held near 87% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
YearRetention
Fall 2002 cohort83%
Fall 2003 cohort86%
Fall 2004 cohort88%
Fall 2005 cohort88%
Fall 2006 cohort87%
Fall 2007 cohort90%
Fall 2008 cohort88%
Fall 2009 cohort87%
Fall 2010 cohort88%
Fall 2011 cohort88%
Fall 2012 cohort88%
Fall 2013 cohort89%
Fall 2014 cohort87%
Fall 2015 cohort87%
Fall 2016 cohort88%
Fall 2017 cohort87%
Fall 2018 cohort89%
Fall 2019 cohort80%
Fall 2020 cohort87%
Fall 2021 cohort88%
Fall 2022 cohort88%
Fall 2023 cohort87%
IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023
More about Emerson College

Faculty pay at Emerson College averages $142,236 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Emerson College as a primarily residential campus of 3,870 undergraduates — and 87.4% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Emerson College's SAT section-percentile sums are 1270–1420 — their midpoint is above the MA four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Emerson College's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”
key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Emerson College compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Emerson College51.3%
Massachusetts median70.3%
National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Emerson College$57,056
Massachusetts median$46,700
National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Emerson College's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Emerson College$62,832
Massachusetts median$62,832
National median$53,781
View comparison data & dates
Emerson College, Massachusetts and national reference values
Metric & basisEmerson CollegeMassachusetts medianNational median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS51.3%70.3%76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid$57,056$46,700$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot$62,832$62,832$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Emerson College, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Emerson College federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 9 fields & earnings
Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Marketing$76,623
Journalism$63,337
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services$61,496
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$59,301
Communication and Media Studies$59,202
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies$51,742
Film/Video and Photographic Arts$49,951
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$49,381
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$44,760

These 9 fields listed for Emerson College measure earnings after completion. The $62,832 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 5 additional Emerson College fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Emerson College report?

Emerson College's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1270–1420 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Emerson College's acceptance rate?

51.3% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 5,325 admitted from 10,378 applicants.

How much does Emerson College cost?

At Emerson College, tuition is $57,056. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Emerson College report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $62,832. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Massachusetts

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.

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