Emerson's tuition & fees has increased from $40,044 (2015) to $57,056 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 42.48% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $29,324 (year 2015) to $35,382 (year 2025).
Emerson's tuition increase rate is higher than the Massachusetts's average increase rate of 13.51%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 40.60% from 2015 ($58,799).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, Emerson's COA is $82,669, which is increased by 2.55% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to Emerson's COA over the past 10 years.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | $58,799 | $57,499 | - |
| 2016-17 | $61,459 | $60,889 | 4.52% |
| 2017-18 | $64,220 | $62,978 | 4.49% |
| 2018-19 | $66,088 | $64,148 | 2.91% |
| 2019-20 | $71,942 | $69,292 | 8.86% |
| 2020-21 | $73,822 | $71,704 | 2.61% |
| 2021-22 | $75,040 | $72,546 | 1.65% |
| 2022-23 | $76,634 | $74,250 | 2.12% |
| 2023-24 | $80,612 | $77,146 | 5.19% |
| 2024-25 | $82,669 | $79,615 | 2.55% |
The tuition & fees have increased 42.48% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $56,032. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Emerson College over last the 10 years.
| Year | Undergraduate | Graduate | Change By Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | $40,044 | $29,324 | - |
| 2016-17 | $41,852 | $30,648 | 4.52% |
| 2017-18 | $43,728 | $30,648 | 4.48% |
| 2018-19 | $44,548 | $30,648 | 1.88% |
| 2019-20 | $49,152 | $31,264 | 10.33% |
| 2020-21 | $50,444 | $31,754 | 2.63% |
| 2021-22 | $51,286 | $31,910 | 1.67% |
| 2022-23 | $52,496 | $33,052 | 2.36% |
| 2023-24 | $55,392 | $34,352 | 5.52% |
| 2024-25 | $57,056 | $35,382 | 3.00% |
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $1,250, and it has increased 25.00% from the year 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | $1,000 | - |
| 2016-17 | $1,150 | 15.00% |
| 2017-18 | $1,150 | |
| 2018-19 | $1,150 | |
| 2019-20 | $1,150 | |
| 2020-21 | $1,200 | 4.35% |
| 2021-22 | $1,200 | |
| 2022-23 | $1,200 | |
| 2023-24 | $1,200 | |
| 2024-25 | $1,250 | 4.17% |
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 27.27% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 19.42% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Emerson College.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | $17,755 | $16,455 | - |
| 2016-17 | $18,457 | $17,887 | 3.95% |
| 2017-18 | $19,342 | $18,100 | 4.79% |
| 2018-19 | $20,390 | $18,450 | 5.42% |
| 2019-20 | $21,640 | $18,990 | 6.13% |
| 2020-21 | $22,178 | $20,060 | 2.49% |
| 2021-22 | $22,554 | $20,060 | 1.70% |
| 2022-23 | $22,938 | $20,554 | 1.70% |
| 2023-24 | $24,020 | $20,554 | 4.72% |
| 2024-25 | $24,363 | $21,309 | 1.43% |
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Emerson College and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College | $57,056 | $54,816 | 4.09% |
| Boston University | $68,102 | $65,168 | 4.50% |
| Northeastern University | $66,162 | $63,141 | 4.78% |
| Harvard University | $61,676 | $59,076 | 4.40% |
| Boston College | $70,702 | $67,680 | 4.47% |
| Tufts University | $70,704 | $67,844 | 4.22% |
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.