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Emerson College vs Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Emerson College is a private college in Boston, MA. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private institute in Worcester, MA. Emerson College admits about 51% of applicants and Worcester Polytechnic Institute about 60%, making Emerson College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $43,071 a year at Worcester Polytechnic Institute after aid, and about $49,180 at Emerson College. About 89% of students graduate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, compared with 78% at Emerson College. Ten years after enrolling, Worcester Polytechnic Institute alumni earn a median of about $103,470, against $62,832 for Emerson College.

Emerson College

Boston, MA · Private

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Boston, MA
Worcester, MA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
3,870
5,447
Acceptance rate
51%
60%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1270–1420
1300–1460
ACT (middle 50%)
29–32
30–34
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$49,180
$43,071
Full cost / yr
$80,399
$78,679
In-state tuition
$57,056
$60,965
Out-of-state tuition
$57,056
$60,965
Application fee
$65
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$32,650
$24,018
$30k - $48k
$32,621
$24,452
$48k - $75k
$41,927
$32,350
$75k - $110k
$46,252
$37,753
Over $110k
$57,288
$49,716
Outcomes
Graduation rate
78%
89%
Freshman retention
87%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$42,799
$85,038
Median earnings (10 yr)
$62,832
$103,470
Median debt at graduation
$23,000
$27,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
16%
12%
First-generation students
13%
13%
International students
15%
6%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Nov 1
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 15
Feb 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Emerson College or Worcester Polytechnic Institute harder to get into?
Emerson College is harder to get into. It admits about 51% of applicants, compared with 60% at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Emerson College or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is cheaper on average. Students pay about $43,071 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $49,180 at Emerson College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Emerson College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Before aid, Worcester Polytechnic Institute costs about $78,679 a year and Emerson College about $80,399. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Emerson College or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $24,018 there, against about $32,650 at Emerson College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Emerson College or Worcester Polytechnic Institute?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is the larger of the two, with about 5,447 undergraduates against 3,870 at Emerson College.
Does Emerson College or Worcester Polytechnic Institute have a better graduation rate?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has the higher graduation rate, at about 89% against 78% at Emerson College.
Do graduates of Emerson College or Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn more?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute alumni earn more on average: a median of about $103,470 ten years after enrolling, against about $62,832 for Emerson College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Emerson College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute require SAT or ACT scores?
Emerson College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Emerson College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1270–1420 at Emerson College and 1300–1460 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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