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 Rate
48%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
65
SAT Range
1120-1330
ACT Range
25-30
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”
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
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
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
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
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.
Molly
For the most part, I'm really enjoying my time at Emerson College. All of my professors are very knowledgable in their subjects, and they tend to be extremely accessible outside of the classroom -- one uses a workplace communication app for our class so we have 24/7 access to him, and another had us follow him on Twitter to contact him. The classes are challenging and I feel like I'm learning a lot. However, it's very difficult to get any sort of additional financial aid from the college after your initial award, so good luck getting help if you're a low-income student and can't afford upwards of $50k out of pocket. Some students also do have a superiority complex and look down on other majors/lower-income students, but it's a private art school, so that might be par for the course.
Dakota
It's a great school, and it's in the middle of an amazing city. The campus is right next to Chinatown, so there's always something to eat when the Dining Hall is disappointing. Being an arts school, there's always a show to watch or to try out for. The TV stations are top notch and you can always try to act in, work for, or even produce your own show. The faculty is helpful, the people are friendly, and it all makes the giant amounts of debt I'm going into to go here worth it.
Katrina
Emerson College is a school for people who know what they're passionate about and are ready to work hard at it. While classes are helpful and connecting with professors can lead to important networking opportunities, the culture of learning at Emerson is mostly outside the classroom in extracurriculars. You can get your degree by attending class, but students who put themselves out there and work hard are the students who really take advantage of everything Emerson has to offer and end up succeeding after graduation.
Lauren
I love attending Emerson College! Most of the teachers are great, and the students are very passionate! Everyone is super nice and positive, and the environment is very inclusive. I feel safe on campus most of the time except for at night because we are right across the street from the Boston Common.
Kayla
As someone who was terrified of college, I have found Emerson to be an environment in which I thrive. The class sizes are perfect to foster discussion-based learning and allow the professor to know my name and my work. I have been able to foster great relationships with professors who truly care about not only my success, but about me. There is an abundance of extracurriculars, so there is something for everyone. I was able to get a job on campus with extremely flexible hours, so that I can work and work can work around me.
If you’re looking for parties containing a wide variety of substances, they’ll mostly be off campus but there is always something to be found hidden on campus. As for safety, it is hard to be in the middle of Boston and feel safe at night. The campus police, however, are one phone call away to escort you back to your dorm or wherever you need to be. The housing selection process is disorganized and relatively unfair, but the dorms themselves are pretty large. There is always construction going on. There is a lack of activity in pursuing sexual harassment and assault claims that the college has faced backlash from students for, but it appears that they might finally be listening.
No college is without its faults, but Emerson has been able to provide a constructive learning environment where I feel like I am heard and a priority.
Hannah
I LOVE THIS SCHOOL. It lies in the heart of boston and it is great!!
Leah
It's a really great school if you know career path you want to follow. If you're undecided, Emerson isn't the place to figure it out, since you're on the fast track to your trade from your first semester. There's a lot of good things: nice dorms, friendly and outgoing student body, passionate professors, small classes (unless you're a film student), the Common right across the street. There's definitely issues with diversity as well as the school not always addressing student needs adequately.
isabelle
Emerson College is a great school for select majors including journalism and theater. Almost all the professors highly value class and usually involve real-time situations. The classes are very interactive and many of the professors take extra time to look over assignments personally and make sure everyone is following along. The campus dining can use some improvement but because of the surrounding area and the great location in Boston, there are a lot of other amazing places to eat. If you are really into sports and want to play for the school Emerson is not the place to be there are very few sports teams here and most are not very good. There is not a large party scene at Emerson, but a large percentage do take advantage of the clubs in the area but only on weekends. The location of the college is excellent especially since you can take public transportation all across the city and to other cities including New York. Because of the city structure, you have to walk a large distance in order to get to your dorm, classes, and the dining hall which is a bit difficult due to ongoing construction, traffic, and protests in the area. The school is extremely close to many historical sites in the area like the Boston public gardens and the Boston massacre so for history enthusiasts, it is a great place to be. Most of the dorms are updated however the elevators in the building have a tendency to not work and the rooms in the Paramount are extremely small and cold. Overall the school is pretty great but like all, it has a few issues.
Gina
I am proud t
Alex
The Emerson College experience is one that is unique, inviting, and exciting. Someone who attends Emerson is constantly surrounded by the arts, whether it be attending a play on campus or receiving invites from fellow students to explore museums around the area. Students are open-minded and you are guaranteed to meet people from all over the world. I would say that the most developed and coveted concentration/major at the school is Film.
The film program is taken extremely seriously and is ranked well nationally. One thing, as a student who transferred from Emerson to another college in the Boston area, that I would "complain" about is the rigor of the academics and the lack of attention to topics that exist outside of the fine arts realm. Subjects such as maths and hard sciences, classical studies, and the social sciences are sort of pushed to the side, rather than integrated into the curriculums created for each major. Besides that (and how expensive tuition is), I would strongly recommend Emerson to someone who is interested in film, theatre, or other creative pursuits.
ATHENA
Emerson College is the college of any art nerd's dream. From amazing facilities to it's location, it has just about everything that a person could want there. And the people, either on or off campus make you feel like you're home, like you've found where you belong. That's not an easy thing to feel sometimes in a world so big, but Emerson makes it so easy with all of their support groups, activities, and organizations. Emerson is the college for everything, even international students around the world, and it's insane how much they give to their students, especially when they have so many interesting courses that just about anyone can take.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Emerson College is 48%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.57%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.