Emerson College
Emerson College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Emerson College at a Glance
Emerson College is a private college in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was founded in 1880 by Charles Wesley Emerson as a school of oratory. The school offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as professional training, primarily focused on the arts and communication, grounded in a liberal arts framework. Emerson is a founding member of the ProArts Consortium, a collaborative association of six neighboring Boston-based institutions dedicated to collegiate-…
1880
146 years old
$293M
$293 million (2025)
5,900
4,117 undergrad · 1,783 grad
469
8 acres
Identity
Is Emerson College Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, Emerson College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $62,832 — 17% above average — while paying $49,180/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 3.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 78% graduation rate means roughly 22% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Emerson College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Emerson College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #20 of 26 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wofford College | 76 | $18,732 | $68,964 |
| #2 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #3 | St Olaf College | 57 | $23,874 | $65,543 |
| #4 | Gustavus Adolphus College | 55 | $22,900 | $65,607 |
| #5 | Rhodes College | 48 | $28,585 | $66,651 |
| #6 | St Lawrence University | 47 | $28,651 | $67,258 |
| #20 | Emerson College | 25 | $49,180 | $62,832 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Emerson College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Emerson College
The highest-earning program at Emerson College is Marketing at $40,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $22,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Marketing graduate from Emerson College earns $40,800, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $22,200. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Marketing graduates carry $23,250 in median debt vs. $23,750 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $49,180/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing | $40,800 | $40,800 | $23,250 |
| Journalism | $33,900 | $33,900 | $23,250 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $31,200 | $31,200 | $24,625 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,600 | $30,600 | $26,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $29,500 | $29,500 | $23,250 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $28,200 | $28,200 | $23,250 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $26,300 | $26,300 | $21,500 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $22,200 | $22,200 | $23,750 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Student Body
- 3,870 students
- Admission Rate
- 51%
- Graduation Rate
- 78%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $49,180
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,832
- Median Student Debt
- $23,000