Emerson College

Boston, Massachusetts · Private nonprofit, 4-year

At a glance

Average net price

$49,180

In-state, after aid

6-year graduation rate

77.1%

Admission rate

51%

Undergrad size

3,870

In-state tuition

$57,056

Out-of-state tuition

$57,056

Cost of attendance

$80,399

Median earnings (10y)

$62,832

Admissions

SAT average
1,358
ACT midpoint
30
Retention
87.4%
Locale
City

Programs breakdown

7 program areas reported · Heavily focused on humanities & arts (87% of credentials).

  • Health1%
  • Business11%
  • Humanities & arts87%
  • Social sciences1%

Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.

Specific majors offered

22 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.

MajorCredentialGradsMedian earningsMedian debt
Film/Video and Photographic Arts.Bachelor's657$28,409$24,250
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.Master's558$56,751
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.Bachelor's225$22,766$25,000
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.Bachelor's216$30,525$24,250
Journalism.Bachelor's176$38,675$24,580
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.Master's128$36,872
Marketing.Master's111$55,791
Marketing.Bachelor's106$44,510$24,250
Business/Commerce, General.Bachelor's95
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.Bachelor's88$42,632$24,625
Publishing.Master's75$41,317
Communication and Media Studies.Bachelor's61$38,439$23,953
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.Master's61$37,647
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.Master's44
Communication and Media Studies.Master's40$39,045
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.Bachelor's38$25,987
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.Master's35
Journalism.Master's30
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.Bachelor's22
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.Bachelor's19$26,425
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.Master's12
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.Bachelor's1$31,236

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.

About Emerson College

Emerson College is a mid-sized institution located in Boston, Massachusetts, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 3,870 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Visual & performing arts, Communication, English.

Cost & tuition

The average net price at Emerson College — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $49,180 per year, which is premium-priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Published tuition is $57,056 per year before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $80,399 annually.

Graduation & earnings outcomes

The 6-year graduation rate is 77.1%, a strong completion outcome. 87.4% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $62,832 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.

Programs & majors

Emerson College confers degrees and certificates across 7 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Visual & performing arts, Communication, English. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by humanities & arts (87% of credentials), business (11% of credentials), social sciences (1% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.

Admissions

Emerson College accepts 51% of applicants, making it moderately selective. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,358. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 30.

Location & campus

Set in Boston, Massachusetts (city), Emerson College draws students from across Massachusetts and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.

Frequently asked questions about Emerson College

Q.How much does Emerson College cost?

The average net price at Emerson College is $49,180 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $80,399.

Q.What is the graduation rate at Emerson College?

Emerson College has a 6-year graduation rate of 77.1% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.

Q.How hard is it to get into Emerson College?

Emerson College admits 51% of applicants, which is considered moderately selective.

Q.How much do Emerson College graduates earn?

Ten years after enrolling, the median Emerson College graduate earns $62,832 per year.

Q.What is tuition at Emerson College?

Published tuition is $57,056 in-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.

Q.Where is Emerson College located?

Emerson College is located in Boston, Massachusetts (ZIP 02116).

Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Emerson College at their official website.