Emerson College
#7 Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts- Graduation Rate
- 78% B+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $62,832 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $49,180 F
- 187% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 51% B+
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 11.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.2 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts.
Every $1 spent returns $11.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $2,005,404.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 54% more than the national college median.
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A 78% graduation rate — 37% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $11.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Emerson College Matters
Emerson College is a private university in Boston, MA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 3,870
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts, Communications, English & Literature, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Emerson College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 51% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1270–1420. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $49,180 a year after grants and scholarships — 187% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $62,832 ten years after enrolling — 54% above the typical college, against $23,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 72% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.90 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Emerson College, with an enrollment of about 3,870 students, is an ideal choice for those passionate about the arts and communication. If you’re drawn to areas like Visual and Performing Arts, Communications, or even Business and Marketing, you’ll find a community that shares your interests and helps you hone your craft. The acceptance rate of 51% means that while it's competitive, there’s still a good chance for students from diverse backgrounds to join.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, the reality is promising. Graduates can expect to earn around $62,832 within a decade of finishing their degree. This level of income reflects the career-focused education students receive, preparing many to advance in their fields. While we don’t have specific mobility rates, it’s clear that a degree from Emerson can lead to solid opportunities, especially for those who take full advantage of the college’s connections and resources.
When we consider the financial aspect, the net price after aid stands at about $49,180, which can be a significant factor for many families. With a median debt of $23,000, graduates leave with a manageable financial load. Students who thrive here are often those who are creative, driven, and ready to engage deeply with their studies and the vibrant community in Boston.
Rankings
- #7 Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts
- #26 Best MBA Programs in Massachusetts
- #37 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
- #38 Best Colleges for Building Social Capital
- #41 Best Bachelor's Programs in Massachusetts
- #42 Best Master's Programs in Massachusetts
- #42 Best Business Colleges in Massachusetts
- #47 Best Colleges for Visual
Can I Get In?
How selective Emerson College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Emerson College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Emerson College, located in Boston, Massachusetts, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 51% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,358. The graduation rate is roughly 78%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 51%
- Retention Rate
- 87%
- SAT Average
- 1358
- ACT Midpoint
- 30
- SAT Range
- 1270–1420
- ACT Range
- 29–32
- Full-Time Faculty
- 32%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,853
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.65
- First-Gen Students
- 13%
- Applicants
- 12,109
- Admitted
- 5,176
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Emerson College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Emerson College is $57,056, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $49,180. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $32,650 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $57,056
- Out-of-State
- $57,056
- Avg Net Price
- $49,180
- Median Debt
- $23,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 16%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 43%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $32,650
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $32,621
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $41,927
- Family Income $110K+
- $57,288
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Emerson College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Emerson College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Emerson College earn a median of $62,832, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,799
- 8 Years
- $53,113
- 10 Years
- $62,832
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (642)
- 75%
- 100% (642)
- 75%
- 100% (642)
- 75%
- 100% (642)
- 75%
How Emerson Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Emerson College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Emerson College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $49,180/year ($196,720 total). Graduates earn $62,832 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,202,124 in total earnings — a net gain of $2,005,404 (11.2× your investment). The median debt is $23,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 78% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $196,720
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,202,124
- Net Return
- $2,005,404
- ROI Multiple
- 11.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $49,180
- Median Debt
- $23,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 78%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Emerson College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Emerson College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.08%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 27.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $120,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.08%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 27.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $163,717
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-31,297,427
Top Programs
The fields Emerson College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Visual & Performing Arts 55% $34,554 early-career
- Communications 15% $46,284 early-career
- English & Literature 12% $38,047 early-career
- Business & Marketing 12% $52,669 early-career
- Health Professions 2%
- Education 2% $42,300 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Emerson College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Emerson College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Emerson College, located in Boston, Massachusetts, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 51% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,358. The graduation rate is roughly 78%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Emerson College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Emerson College is $57,056, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $49,180. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $32,650 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,000 in federal student loans.
Is Emerson College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Emerson College earn a median of $62,832, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Emerson College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Emerson College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.08%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 27.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $120,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Emerson College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Emerson College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.90, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 13% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Emerson College.
- Yeshiva UniversityNew York, NY · Close peer83% grad $71,353 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Rollins CollegeWinter Park, FL · Close peer76% grad $58,295 earn 48% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St Olaf CollegeNorthfield, MN · Close peer84% grad $65,543 earn 48% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ithaca CollegeIthaca, NY · Close peer75% grad $63,548 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Providence CollegeProvidence, RI · Close peer87% grad $87,054 earn 51% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Endicott CollegeBeverly, MA · Close peer76% grad $58,336 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Emerson College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Emerson College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.90, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 13% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note