Emerson College
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$221,568
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$7,799/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
28.4 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-30%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Emerson College's in-state tuition is $55,392. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $30,413. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $42,799, and after ten years, earnings are $62,832. The median student loan debt is $23,000.
The school's acceptance rate is 47.5%, with a graduation rate of 78.2%. The retention rate is 87.8%. 46.6% of students receive financial aid.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$55,392
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$42,799
Graduation Rate
78%
Receive Financial Aid
47%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | $221,568 | $42,467 | -33% |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | $221,568 | $38,227 | -71% |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | $221,568 | $43,925 | -19% |
| Journalism. | $221,568 | $53,162 | 64% |
| Marketing. | $221,568 | $61,630 | 140% |
| Marketing. | $221,568 | $83,304 | 336% |
| Publishing. | $221,568 | $52,651 | 59% |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | $221,568 | $71,457 | 229% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $221,568 | $54,641 | 77% |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | $221,568 | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | $221,568 | $45,577 | -5% |
| Business/Commerce, General. | $221,568 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.