Emory University
Emory University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Emory University at a Glance
Emory University is a private research university in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It was founded in 1836 as Emory College by the Methodist Episcopal Church and named in honor of Methodist bishop John Emory. Its main campus is in Druid Hills, four miles from downtown Atlanta.
1836
190 years old
$12.0B
$12 billion (2025)
5,380
8,341 undergrad · 7,754 grad
631 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Emory University
Official admissions pageJanuary 1
November 1 (Early Decision I) / January 1 (Early Decision II)
$75
Fee waiver available
2 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Essays
Fee waiver
Is Emory University Worth It?
Emory University is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $22,585/year net price and $80,137 median earnings, graduates earn 3.5× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 91% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 11% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Bottom line: Emory University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Emory University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #8 of 18 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 | University of Chicago | 100 | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| #2 | Johns Hopkins University | 100 | $18,809 | $87,555 |
| #3 | Vanderbilt University | 100 | $15,846 | $91,565 |
| #4 | Rice University | 100 | $13,370 | $89,718 |
| #5 | Washington University in St Louis | 93 | $21,786 | $86,182 |
| #6 | University of Notre Dame | 90 | $26,780 | $99,980 |
| #8 | Emory University | 81 | $22,585 | $80,137 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Emory University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Emory University
The highest-earning program at Emory University is Computer Science at $79,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Anthropology at $17,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Emory University earns $79,000, while a Anthropology graduate earns $17,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $20,962 in median debt vs. $21,000 for Anthropology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,585/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $79,000 | $79,000 | $20,962 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $72,600 | $72,600 | $20,250 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,700 | $62,700 | $19,792 |
| Economics | $57,100 | $57,100 | $19,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $56,800 | $56,800 | $25,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $50,700 | $50,700 | N/A |
| Political Science and Government | $42,500 | $42,500 | $19,000 |
| Area Studies | $41,000 | $41,000 | $19,500 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $35,800 | $35,800 | $19,250 |
| Sociology | $35,600 | $35,600 | $21,000 |
| Psychology, General | $34,300 | $34,300 | $19,750 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $32,500 | $32,500 | $21,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,400 | $30,400 | $21,000 |
| History | $29,000 | $29,000 | $19,500 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $27,100 | $27,100 | $21,000 |
| Chemistry | $26,500 | $26,500 | $19,500 |
| Biology, General | $23,700 | $23,700 | $19,500 |
| Anthropology | $17,100 | $17,100 | $21,000 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Atlanta, GA
- Student Body
- 7,298 students
- Admission Rate
- 11%
- Graduation Rate
- 91%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,585
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $80,137
- Median Student Debt
- $18,250