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How to Get Into Emerson College

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · 2025-2026 cycle · Verified data

Emerson College Admissions Statistics

51%
Acceptance Rate
660-720
SAT Reading (mid 50%)
610-700
SAT Math (mid 50%)
29-32
ACT (mid 50%)
3,870
Undergrads
77%
Graduation Rate

How to Actually Get Into Emerson College

The bar here is clear

Emerson College admits most qualified applicants. Clear the academic bar (the ranges below) and your odds are strong. The real questions become fit, cost, and whether it earns its slot on your list, not whether you can get in.

Position your scores against the real bands

The middle 50% of enrolled students sits around 1270-1420 combined SAT or 29-32 ACT. Above the 75th percentile, scores work for you and this can behave like a target. Below the 25th percentile, the rest of your application has to carry the file, treat it as a reach. Since scores are not required (test-optional) here, submit only if you're inside or above the band; a below-band score is information you don't have to volunteer.

Use the Early Decision round deliberately

Emerson College offers Early Decision, which is binding. The early bump is real but overstated (hooked applicants cluster early and inflate it). Spend ED once, on the school where it actually moves you a tier, and only if the money works without comparing aid offers. If that school is Emerson College, the deadline table below is your calendar.

The bigger picture: no single school decides your outcome, the shape of your whole list does. Read how top counselors build a college list before you finalize where Emerson College fits.

Emerson College Application Deadlines (2025-2026)

Round Deadline
Early Action (EA) November 3, 2025
Early Decision (ED) November 3, 2025
Early Decision II (ED II) January 5, 2026
Regular Decision (RD) July 25, 2026

Deadlines verified from official sources for the 2025-2026 cycle. Rounds change year to year, always confirm on the school's site before submitting.

Application Requirements & Costs

Application platform Common App
Application fee $65
Test scores Not required (test-optional)
Writing supplement Required
Counselor recommendation Required
Teacher evaluations 1

Emerson College Cost & Financial Aid

Total cost of attendance (sticker, per year) $80,399
Tuition & fees $57,056
Room & board (on campus) $20,920
Average net price (aid-receiving families) $49,180

What You'd Actually Pay, by Family Income

Average net price per year (after grants and scholarships) for aid-receiving families, from federal College Scorecard data:

Family income Average net price / year
$0-30k $32,650
$30-48k $32,621
$48-75k $41,927
$75-110k $46,252
$110k+ $57,288
15.5%
Students receiving Pell Grants
43%
Students taking federal loans
87%
Freshman retention rate
14:1
Student-faculty ratio

These are averages, not your number. Get your family's actual price in about 10 minutes:

Use Emerson College's Official Net Price Calculator →

More Emerson College Data, Coming Soon

We're building the deepest per-school database in admissions. Rolling out for Emerson College:

Programs & Majors Soon Every degree program at Emerson College, with outcomes
Transfer Pathways Soon How to transfer into Emerson College, and where transfers come from
Institutional Aid Soon Emerson College's own grants and how they're awarded
Private Scholarships Soon Outside scholarships Emerson College students actually win

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