Emerson College

In 2022, Emerson College's tuition was $52,288 a year.

Tuition increased 3.83% in 2022–from $50,360 the prior year. On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If these numbers feel scary, remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't tell the full story. Many students pay a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until after graduation.

Emerson College: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Emerson College is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for students from Massachusetts as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can save significant money on the total cost of attending college. Take the time to confirm your state's criteria for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other Massachusetts colleges

Emerson College International Student Tuition

Tuition at Emerson is the same for every student.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Emerson:

•Emerson-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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Emerson College Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Emerson.

Room and Board Costs at Emerson

Room and board at Emerson costs $19,528 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat in the school dining halls.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Emerson

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges offer ways for students with demonstrated need to get help covering these fees.

Transportation costs

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in a city might be pricey, but cities may offer more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Emerson College campus is in a urban setting in Massachusetts, near Boston.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Emerson College

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Emerson.

Total Cost of Emerson

What will the cost of attending Emerson be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$52,288
Room and Board	$19,528

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$72,760
Off-Campus	$53,232

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Emerson College Financial Aid

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The majority of Emerson College undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2022, 1,927 of the 3,708 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Emerson meets 53% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $33,583 a year. Around 57% of Emerson undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Emerson graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $22,522 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$22,448
State Loans	$5,333
Private Loans	$0

Most Common Loans for Emerson Students
Federal Loans	57%
State loans	0.8%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Emerson financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Emerson College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, Emerson awarded 1,835 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $43 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $13.14 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Emerson College Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Emerson students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Emerson was $33,583 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Emerson seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$39,177
Off-Campus	$19,649

What will attending Emerson really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Emerson's net cost calculator on their website.

Emerson College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Emerson Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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Learn More About Emerson College

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