Emory University combines highly selective admissions with top-tier earnings performance. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university delivers strong post-graduation outcomes while serving fewer low-income students, with exceptional support for admitted low-income students who earn in the top 5% nationally.
With top-tier performance, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
Around the national average, reflecting moderate costs and debt levels
Well above average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to similar selective institutions
With well above average performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisEmory University delivers strong earnings outcomes that justify its selective admission standards and moderate cost structure. Graduates earn a median of $80,137 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 93.0th percentile nationally.
Earnings span from $57,523 at the 25th percentile to $120,080 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career trajectories across disciplines. However, graduates earn $2,235 less than expected based on their backgrounds and demographics, placing Emory around the national average for earnings beyond expectations at the 46.3rd percentile.
Students seeking prestige and strong long-term earnings at a highly selective private university. Well-suited for academically exceptional students who can manage moderate debt levels and want access to top-tier professional networks, particularly in business, healthcare, and social sciences.
Emory University admits approximately 11.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 9 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Emory among the most selective universities in the United States, falling within the Highly Selective tier.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the stark difference between Emory's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among elite private research universities, Emory's acceptance rate positions it as highly competitive.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Emory University's published cost of attendance reaches $78,814 per year, including $60,774 in tuition, $18,972 for room and board, and $1,250 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $23,911 representing $54,903 in average financial aid savings.
This net price falls $3,232 below the peer median of $27,143, indicating competitive pricing relative to similar selective private institutions. Net prices vary dramatically by family income, ranging from $6,895 for families earning under $30,000 to $54,582 for families earning over $110,000.
This $47,687 spread between lowest and highest income tiers demonstrates progressive aid targeting that makes the institution accessible across economic backgrounds. The cost structure reflects Emory's position as a selective private university with substantial endowment resources to support need-based financial aid.
Students from middle-income families earning $48,000-$75,000 pay $11,687 annually, while upper-middle-income families earning $75,000-$110,000 pay $21,124. The aid structure ensures that sticker price does not prevent access for academically qualified students from lower- and middle-income backgrounds.
Computer Science.
69 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
343 graduates
Applied Economics.
128 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
364 graduates
African Studies.
46 graduates
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Georgia Higher acceptance rate (26.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 56 miles away; similar graduate earnings | GA | 37% | $68,726 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Emory University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/emory-university/analysis.
Top 25% nationally for graduate earnings
Emory University ranks #157 nationally with top-tier performance at the 90.4th percentile. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains highly selective admission standards with an 11.1% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional long-term outcomes.
Emory enrolls 18.2% Pell-eligible students and 16.4% first-generation students, reflecting a student body that includes some diversity alongside more privileged backgrounds. Graduates earn $80,137 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 93.0th percentile nationally.
This places Emory $17,071 above the peer median of $63,066 annually. Test scores rank among the highest we track, with SAT ranges from 1460-1550 and ACT ranges from 32-34.
The combination of highly selective admissions, strong earnings outcomes, and limited low-income access places Emory within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions serve fewer low-income students while delivering strong post-graduation results.
This level of selectivity means that even exceptionally qualified students face significant uncertainty in the admission process. Many students who would excel at Emory do not receive admission simply due to the volume of highly qualified applicants competing for limited seats.
Students considering Emory should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes. Treating Emory as a reach school regardless of qualifications represents sound application strategy.
The 96.2% retention rate indicates that admitted students find strong academic and social fit once enrolled.
Emory University graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over their early careers. Median earnings grow from $74,980 six years after enrollment to $80,270 at eight years and $80,137 at ten years, representing 6.9% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 1,344 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $80,137 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 93.0rd percentile nationally.
While earnings are strong in absolute terms, graduates earn $2,235 less than expected based on their demographics, placing around the national average for earnings beyond expectations. Low-income graduates earn $99,300, ranking in the top 5% nationally and indicating exceptional support for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Earnings range from $57,523 at the 25th percentile to $120,080 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 28.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for advanced education pathways.
Emory University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Computer Science ranks #28 nationally and #1 in Georgia, producing 69 graduates with median earnings of $133,212 and a value score of 85.2.
Business Administration and Management ranks #5 nationally and #1 in Georgia, graduating 343 students with median earnings of $107,945 and an exceptional value score of 98.8. Applied Economics ranks #55 nationally and #1 in Georgia, graduating 128 students with median earnings of $86,679.
Analytical Chemistry stands out with a #7 national ranking and #1 state ranking, graduating 96 students with median earnings of $54,509 and a value score of 96.1. African Studies ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Georgia, graduating 46 students with median earnings of $77,707.
Several programs represent flagship offerings at the institution, including Adult Health Nursing with 364 graduates and Biology with 208 graduates annually.
George Mason University Higher acceptance rate (77.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | VA | 89% | $76,343 | Compare |
Loyola University Maryland Higher acceptance rate (65.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MD | 76% | $82,652 | Compare |
University Of Georgia Same state (56 miles away) (earnings difference: 14.2%) and similar program focus | GA | 37% | $68,726 | Compare |
Loyola University Maryland Same region with nearly identical earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | MD | 76% | $82,652 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bentley University Similar quality tier (#159 ranked) | MA | 48% | $120,959 | #159 | Compare |
Mcphs University Similar quality tier (#148 ranked) | MA | 85% | $125,557 | #148 | Compare |
Georgetown University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#165 ranked) | DC | 13% | $103,494 | #165 | Compare |
Dartmouth College Similar quality tier (#136 ranked) | NH | 6% | $97,434 | #136 | Compare |
Boston College Similar quality tier (#172 ranked) | MA | 16% | $103,937 | #172 | Compare |
