The average acceptance rate at Emerson over the past 10 years is 43.97%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 51.31%. Compared to the previous year, it became slightly easier to gain admission to Emerson in 2025.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 19.06%, and the 2025 yield is 15.55%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 28.20% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of Emerson applicants decreased by 6.44% (714 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 20.42% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 51.31%, showing a decreasing selectivity trend. This suggests that Emerson is admitting a higher proportion of applicants, which may indicate either an increase in application quality or a strategic enrollment decision by the institution.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 15.55%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at Emerson. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
For the 2025 admission cycle, Emerson received approximately 10,378 applications, admitted 5,325 students, and enrolled 828 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that Emerson is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.
Emerson 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at Emerson over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 43.97%, while the most recent rate stands at 51.31%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 51.31%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 42.55% and for women is 44.62%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at Emerson have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 49.03% | 48.54% | 49.27% |
| 2016-17 | 48.06% -0.97% |
47.29% -1.25% |
48.42% -0.85% |
| 2017-18 | 46.06% -2.00% |
44.88% -2.41% |
46.63% -1.79% |
| 2018-19 | 35.64% -10.42% |
34.14% -10.74% |
36.32% -10.31% |
| 2019-20 | 33.35% -2.29% |
32.79% -1.35% |
33.60% -2.72% |
| 2020-21 | 41.05% 7.70% |
41.74% 8.95% |
40.75% 7.15% |
| 2021-22 | 45.00% 3.96% |
44.00% 2.26% |
46.00% 5.25% |
| 2022-23 | 42.75% -2.26% |
40.53% -3.48% |
43.59% -2.41% |
| 2023-24 | 47.48% 4.74% |
42.90% 2.37% |
49.26% 5.67% |
| 2024-25 | 51.31% 3.83% |
48.72% 5.82% |
52.38% 3.13% |
| Average | 43.97% | 42.55% | 44.62% |
Emerson has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 21.66% in 2015 to 15.55% in 2025, representing a 28.20% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 19.06%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at Emerson from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 28.20% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 21.66% | 25.19% | 19.88% |
| 2016-17 | 20.04% -1.62% |
23.46% -1.73% |
18.47% -1.41% |
| 2017-18 | 19.53% -0.51% |
23.13% -0.33% |
17.86% -0.61% |
| 2018-19 | 20.01% 0.48% |
24.71% 1.58% |
18.01% 0.15% |
| 2019-20 | 18.40% -1.61% |
21.02% -3.69% |
17.26% -0.74% |
| 2020-21 | 17.17% -1.23% |
19.67% -1.36% |
16.06% -1.20% |
| 2021-22 | 20.00% 2.83% |
21.97% 2.30% |
20.01% 3.95% |
| 2022-23 | 19.36% -0.64% |
23.41% 1.45% |
17.92% -2.08% |
| 2023-24 | 18.93% -0.43% |
23.43% 0.02% |
17.42% -0.50% |
| 2024-25 | 15.55% -3.38% |
19.78% -3.65% |
13.85% -3.57% |
| Average | 19.06% | 22.58% | 17.67% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 11,489, the average number of admitted is 4,957, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 940.
The number of Emerson applicants decreased by 6.44% (714 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 20.42% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Emerson College from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 8,618 | 4,225 | 915 |
| 2016-17 | 9,149 6.16% |
4,397 4.07% |
881 -3.72% |
| 2017-18 | 10,360 13.24% |
4,772 8.53% |
932 5.79% |
| 2018-19 | 12,941 24.91% |
4,612 -3.35% |
923 -0.97% |
| 2019-20 | 15,353 18.64% |
5,120 11.01% |
942 2.06% |
| 2020-21 | 13,326 -13.20% |
5,470 6.84% |
939 -0.32% |
| 2021-22 | 11,568 -13.19% |
5,206 -4.83% |
1,041 10.86% |
| 2022-23 | 12,109 4.68% |
5,176 -0.58% |
1,002 -3.75% |
| 2023-24 | 11,092 -8.40% |
5,267 1.76% |
997 -0.50% |
| 2024-25 | 10,378 -6.44% |
5,325 1.10% |
828 -16.95% |
| Average | 11,489 | 4,957 | 940 |
The following table compares Emerson College' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College | 47.48% | 51.31% | 8.07% |
| Boston University | 11.11% | 10.85% | 2.40% |
| Northeastern University | 5.22% | 5.65% | -7.61% |
| Harvard University | 3.65% | 3.45% | 5.80% |
| Boston College | 16.43% | 15.65% | 4.98% |
| Tufts University | 11.49% | 10.13% | 13.43% |
Ratings & Review
Robert DeMattia (Alum)
Expensive
Emerson has the best teachers in BFA Film program. I would highly recommend this program for film students
Robert DeMattia strongly recommends the school.