Emerson College
Boston, MA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$47,594
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$37,668
$30k - $48k
$36,440
$48k - $75k
$42,289
$75k - $110k
$43,615
$110k+
$47,264
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$52,496
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$52,496
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$19,528
Books and Supplies
$1,200
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
56%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
16%
Average Aid Per Year
$24,470
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
16%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,571
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$23,451
Students receiving state aid
3%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$2,398
Students receiving federal aid
14%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,571
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$37,948
$30k - $48k
$33,487
$48k - $75k
$34,345
$75k - $110k
$26,799
$110k+
$21,309
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$56,123,776
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$16,325,388

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
49%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$13,791
Students receiving federal loans
48%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,428
Average Other Loans Per Year
$28,810
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$20,500
Loan Default Rate
2%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$222

What Students Are Saying

I absolutely feel like I'm getting my money's worth in my education at Emerson College. Emerson has also been working very hard in spite of the recession to keep annual costs from increasing too much, and through budget cuts and distribution of financial aid, they have succeeded in minimizing tuition increase.
Erika from Trainer, PA
Emerson College is extremely expensive, as you already might know. However, it's worth it. The opportunities that you get from this school can't compare to anywhere else.
from Massachusetts
It's pricey, but Emerson is a well-respected school. Unfortunately there's not a whole lot of financial aid (especially if you didn't get a scholarship). The years you spend here will make your career, though.
Brittany from Kyle, TX
There's no way around it. Emerson isn't cheap. It really, really isn't cheap. The tuition and living expenses aren't necessarily a bargain, and living in Boston certainly isn't a thrifty dream, but it's definitely worth it. The college is excellent, and it affords connections that make Emerson more than worth its slightly exorbitant fee. The dorms are awesome and the food is good, so the living expenses are justified; living in Boston in general is expensive, so the college can't really be faulted for its price being a little lofty. Although the college costs more than I would ideally like, even if I could go back and do the college search all over again, I wouldn't change it for anything.
Girl from PA
You get a lot from Emerson. The amount of people who get ons and connections once they graduate is surprisingly high given the competition in most media/performance fields. You're paying for the connections with this school, but it's worth it.
Dave from Somerville, MA
Emerson is one of the pricier schools in Boston. But I do believe that it is worth it. I believe education is priceless and Emerson is a place that teaches and educates its students in exactly what they want to do for their future. Also, with proper planning the finance office will work with you and you can apply for scholarships.
Jacqueline from Laguna Niguel, CA
I give it five stars now because I see many Emerson grads who go on to be very successful. But I don't think you can accurately gauge the bang for your buck at any school until you see what your degree will do for you.
Cassidy from Wakefield, RI
Emerson isn't great with financial aid and giving out money, so I'm in a lot of debt right now, but it's definitely worth it. I couldn't be happier, and I'd much rather be here and in debt while having the time of my life, than at my previous college, barely paying anything and feeling miserable.
Sarah