Students at Emory University achieve some of the strongest financial outcomes in higher education, with graduates consistently earning more than peers at similar institutions nationwide.
The university's combination of academic excellence and career preparation creates exceptional long-term earning potential that places it among the top performers nationally.
Emory University stands out as one of the nation's premier private research universities, delivering exceptional long-term financial outcomes that place it in the top 5% nationally for graduate earnings. Located in Atlanta, Emory combines academic excellence with remarkable career preparation, producing graduates who earn a median of $80,137 ten years after enrollment. What makes Emory particularly distinctive is its ability to serve a selective student body while maintaining outstanding completion rates—over 91% of students graduate within six years.
The university's strength lies in its balance of rigorous academics and practical career preparation. Students benefit from Emory's location in Atlanta, a major business and healthcare hub, which provides extensive internship and networking opportunities. The institution's programs in business administration, nursing, and computer science consistently produce graduates with strong earning potential, while its liberal arts foundation ensures broad intellectual development.
As a medium-sized private research university, Emory offers the resources of a major institution with more personalized attention than larger universities. The combination of academic rigor, career services, and alumni networks creates an environment where students consistently achieve financial success that exceeds what similar students experience at peer institutions nationwide.
Emory University's program portfolio reflects its strength as a comprehensive research university with particular excellence in professional fields. Business Administration stands out as both the highest-return program and one of the largest, with 343 graduates earning $77,283 median income, demonstrating the program's ability to combine scale with quality outcomes. The program benefits from Emory's location in Atlanta's business district and strong corporate partnerships that provide internships and direct hiring pipelines.
Nursing represents Emory's largest program with 364 graduates, reflecting the university's historic strength in healthcare education and its partnership with major Atlanta medical centers. With median earnings of $64,055, nursing graduates enter a stable, growing field with excellent job security and advancement opportunities. Computer Science, though smaller with 69 graduates, delivers the highest individual earnings at $83,177, positioning graduates for success in Atlanta's expanding technology sector and national tech markets.
Even traditionally lower-earning fields like Biology show the Emory advantage through strong graduate school preparation and research opportunities. The university's comprehensive career services, extensive alumni network, and Atlanta's diverse economy create multiple pathways for success. As a focused research university, Emory graduates substantial cohorts annually while maintaining program quality and employer relationships that ensure strong outcomes across disciplines.
Emory University graduates achieve exceptional long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $80,137 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the top 5% nationally for graduate earnings. Bottom-quartile graduates typically earn solid middle-class incomes, while top-quartile performers often reach six-figure salaries, reflecting the wide range of high-return career paths available to Emory alumni. The university's location in Atlanta, where cost of living is moderate compared to other major metropolitan areas, means these earnings provide strong purchasing power for graduates.
The strongest financial returns come from Emory's standout programs. Business Administration leads with 343 graduates earning a median of $77,283, combining high enrollment with excellent pay to create the university's highest aggregate return. Computer Science, though smaller with 69 graduates, delivers the highest individual earnings at $83,177 median income, reflecting the strong demand for tech talent in Atlanta's growing technology sector. Nursing represents Emory's largest program with 364 graduates earning $64,055, providing stable, well-compensated healthcare careers.
Even traditionally lower-earning fields like Biology show the Emory advantage, with graduates positioned for strong outcomes through graduate school preparation and research opportunities. The university's comprehensive career services, extensive alumni network, and Atlanta's diverse economy create multiple pathways for students to achieve financial success regardless of their chosen field of study.
Affordability at Emory University varies significantly by family income, reflecting the institution's commitment to need-based financial aid alongside its private university pricing structure. Low-income families pay approximately $6,895 annually after aid, making Emory remarkably accessible for students from modest backgrounds. Middle-income families see net prices around $11,687, still well below the sticker price thanks to substantial institutional aid, while higher-income families pay closer to $54,582, reflecting the full cost of Emory's premium educational experience.
The university's financial aid strategy focuses heavily on grants and scholarships rather than loans, helping keep debt levels manageable even at a high-cost institution. Most students who borrow graduate with federal loan debt of about $18,250, a reasonable amount given Emory's strong earning outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $30,292, higher than at public institutions but typical for selective private universities where families often invest more heavily in their children's education.
What makes Emory's pricing sustainable is the strong return on investment graduates experience. With median earnings exceeding $80,000 ten years out, most borrowers can comfortably handle their debt obligations while building wealth. The university's generous aid for lower-income students, combined with excellent career outcomes, creates a pathway for economic mobility that justifies the investment for families across the income spectrum.
Emory University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
