About Emerson College

Founded in 1880, Emerson College. is a Private college. Located in Massachusetts, which is a city setting in Massachusetts, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 3,801 full time undergraduate students, and 641 full time graduate students.

The Emerson College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 15:1. There are 201 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Emerson College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate48%
Application Deadline
Application Fee65
SAT Range1120-1330
ACT Range25-30

Admissions at are considered More Selective, with ,49% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 10 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

96% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 77% were in the top quarter, and 41% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Emerson College.

4%
“We”re apathetic”
16%
“We know about current events and vote”
47%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
33%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
10%
“Sometimes, but not often”
55%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
32%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
11%
“I only go out in groups”
55%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
34%
“I feel extremely safe”
89%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
10%
“We bought the gear”
1%
“We live for the big game”
1%
“It”s not really our thing”
2%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
17%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
81%
“We”re a very artistic group”
2%
“Haven”t met them”
10%
“Available in class”
55%
“They keep regular office hours”
33%
“They”re always available”
29%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
61%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
10%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
1%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
15%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
62%
“We only party on weekends”
22%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
1%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
23%
“There might be people who do”
54%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
22%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
4%
“We”re apathetic”
16%
“We know about current events and vote”
47%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
33%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
10%
“Sometimes, but not often”
55%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
32%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
11%
“I only go out in groups”
55%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
34%
“I feel extremely safe”
89%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
10%
“We bought the gear”
1%
“We live for the big game”
1%
“It”s not really our thing”
2%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
17%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
81%
“We”re a very artistic group”
2%
“Haven”t met them”
10%
“Available in class”
55%
“They keep regular office hours”
33%
“They”re always available”
29%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
61%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
10%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
1%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
15%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
62%
“We only party on weekends”
22%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
1%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
23%
“There might be people who do”
54%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
22%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    109 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 10 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    99 Students rated off-campus housing 2.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    111 Students rated campus food 3.1 stars. 7 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    112 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    112 Students rated class size 4.4 stars. 54 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    112 Students rated school activities 4.2 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    115 Students rated local services 4.5 stars. 65 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    112 Students rated academics 3.6 stars. 14 % gave the school a 5.0.

Emerson College REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Emerson College?

37 Students rated Emerson College

Theresa - 06/29/2023

I have many friends who are not returning for their sophomore year at Emerson because they chose to transfer schools, and one friend who dropped out during the first semester. Some of them claim the classes aren't challenging enough, and even though that is sometimes true, I like my school and chose it for its prioritizing of the arts. Some of the professors I had ran classes that seemed like a waste of money because they didn't actually teach. But the good professors really made my first year, and the extra curricular's gave me hope for a successful future. The creative nature of the school is the reason I chose to stay and why I think that Emerson is a good college.

Ashley - 07/01/2020

The "campus" is a bit scattered but it's not too difficult to get used to and get around. A lot of the professors have open discussions which allows students to hear each others opinions and have conversations with each other instead of just listening to the professor. There's multiple places around the campus to get some (The Max is where you go when you need to get something to eat at 12 a.m. while working on that essay) but maybe avoid the Dining Hall. There's some good stuff there every now and then but nothing special most times. For the most part, food is good, professors are flexible and nice, but boy is Emerson College overall a pain-in-the-butt institution that clearly doesn't care about their students or professors. Most of the professors do care about what they're teaching and are willing to help you out but overall I would not recommend Emerson unless they really specialize in something you love or can't find elsewhere.

Kiersten - 04/08/2020

I think it's a good school to attend, especially for Journalism majors because it is number one in the country for the Journalism department. However, there are definitely some things we should improve, such as campus housing, campus food, and stuff pertaining to diversity and equity.

Emily - 12/19/2019

Emerson is great but it is not as diverse as it claims to be. It really isn't diverse at all. The majority of students are white and wealthy. They do try very hard to be inclusive and they do a pretty good job (gender neutral bathrooms, accessibility services, accommodations) but the student body is not at all diverse.

Emerson College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Emerson College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Emerson College is 48%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Emerson kids are very artsy, smoke a lot, and are extremely ambitious. All Emerson kids think they're going to be the next big thing. Also, we suck at math and science.

    Read all 160 answers

  3. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    While most of the students here are white and come from middle class families, not all are considered artsy. The students are overwhelmingly liberal here and are generally very nice and easy to get along with even if you dont agree with their politics.

    Read all 159 answers

  4. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates at Emerson are passionate, determined, creative, fun, unique, dedicated, eccentric, hard-working, driven, and opinionated.

    Read all 158 answers

  5. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Located in the heart of Boston, Emerson presents a great opportunity for its students to excel in the field of communications and the arts. There are always events going on and off campus and students have no excuse to be bored. The city itself also offers many job opportunities as I work at a downtown comedy club which is about a mile away from campus and several of my friends work at nearby restauraunts and movie theaters. The students are generally friendly but are oftentimes thought to be pretentious liberals as they have a fierce hatred for far right ideals.

    Read all 154 answers

  6. What are the academics like at your school?

    The academics are generally not too demanding. Students mostly learn about their majors from participating in outside the classroom projects.

    Read all 150 answers

  7. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    There is always something to do while at Emerson. Whether it be a film shoot, a comedy show or a night on the town, Emerson students have no excuse to be bored.

    Read all 132 answers

  8. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    The first college that I attended for my freshman year was not my first choice. I did well there, but it wasn't focused to what I am passionate about, and the setting just wasn't right for me. Transfering to my first choice school was the best thing that I have ever done. It is so important to be in a place that you enjoy and can thrive in, or else the college experience will not be everything you want it to be. So, I suggest that you take the time to research schools and find one that you're enthusiastic about, and if you arn't accepted the first time, keep trying! College isn't just about getting a degree, it's about making the most of an oustanding education and life-changing experience.

    Read all 108 answers

  9. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Upon visiting a friend at Emerson before applying, I immediately felt at home. Quite a few people were very welcoming and I even met some of my closest friends ever during that first visit. The amount of school spirit and driven, creative artists that helped one another to thrive were other important factors that helped me to make this decision to apply and ultimately attend Emerson College.

    Read all 103 answers

  10. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    It focuses on the HOW but not enough on the WHY. Students here know how to do but not how to inspire and innovate.

    Read all 26 answers

  11. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Students are ambitious and the faculty, for the most part, are helpful and intelligent.

    Read all 24 answers

  12. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    The type of person that shouldn't attend Emerson is a mathematics based thinker. There is only one science major at Emerson, which is awesome but besides that, the typical student is very music, and theatre based performer. Also, different politcal views are welcome, however, conservatives may get bombarded by liberal activists.

    Read all 19 answers

  13. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Detailed eductation in the communication and performing arts

    Read all 18 answers

  14. What's unique about your campus?

    The best thing about Emerson is that if you give it a chance you will meet the most interesting and talented people there. There are fun things to do especially in the city, and it's okay if you don't feel like leaving the dorms for a day too.

    Read all 17 answers

  15. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    Almost everything! My friends are always jealous when Italk about Emerson. It's in the greatest location ever: the heart of Boston! I'm never bored! Not to mention all of the on-campus activities: comedy shows, theatre, clubs, open mic nights, its amazing! Then there's the teachers: they're the real deal. I value them for their knowledge, but even more for their connections. I know that when I graduate, they'll be an awesome reference on my job applications! And of course the alumni: Maria Menounos, Jay Leno, who wouldn't be jealous?

    Read all 16 answers

  16. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I had known more about what my actual strengths were, for I ended up taking some courses which have little bearing on my current educational goals...but they were still rewarding in their own right.

    Read all 15 answers

  17. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone who knows what they want to do for the restof their lives before entering college. They need to be able to navigate red tape and they also need to be extremely organized because this school lacks a significant amount of structure. Emerson students are self-motivated and driven beyond compare. Even though we may not be big on school spirit - we have a lot of pride in extra cirriculars as most students are involved in at least three or more clubs.

    Read all 15 answers

  18. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    My main sources of frustration come from sometimes feeling overwhelmed with work and financial issues. As far as work goes, I sometimes feel overwhelmed with the balancing act of being a full-time student, part-time employee, and managing homework and production projects. This oftentimes leads to a feeling down about not having time for an internship or more projects related to my degree. Additionally, I frequently worry about student loan repayments. I dislike having to worry about student loans.

    Read all 13 answers

  19. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    An Emerson student talks about why she chose Emerson.

    Read all 5 answers

  20. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    The stereotype: chainsmoking, bitchy gay kids and artsy types. Yes, some people smoke and we have a higher-than-average gay population, but I found most people to be friendly and open.

    Read all 2 answers

Student Body

Students

60%

female

40%

male

3,801

Total Undergrad Enrollment

641

Total Grad Students

72%

Out-Of-State

20%

In-State

8%

International

Organizations

80

Student Organizations

4

Fraternities

3

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

43%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
4%
% Black or African-American
3%
% Hispanic/Latino
11%
% White or Caucasian
67%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

73% of students attending Emerson College receive some sort of financial aid. 18% were awarded federal grants. While 57% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$41,852

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,150

Books and Supplies

$16,320

Room and Board

59,322

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$33,717
$30 - $48K
$36,793
$48 - $75K
$37,345
$75 - $110K
$39,973
$110K & UP
$47,455

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

FIND SCHOLARSHIPS

Find your perfect match from over 3 million scholarships!

START YOUR SEARCH

CAN YOU GET INTO Emerson College?

Complete your profile to see if this school is a fit for you, and what your chances of admitance are.

START YOUR SEARCH

TOP STUDENT RATED COLLEGES IN Massachusetts

View All Colleges in Massachusetts