Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants.
11%
SAT 25th-75th percentileThe middle range of SAT scores for admitted students: a quarter scored below the low number and a quarter scored above the high number.
1470–1550
Undergrad enrollment
7,298
Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost.
$22,585
In-state tuition
$64,280
Out-of-state tuition
$64,280
Location
Atlanta, GA
Median ACT
34
Median SAT
1510
Majors Offered
80+
Acceptance Rate
10%
Student Organizations
80+
6-Year Graduation Rate
92%
Average Debt at Graduation
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Emory University?
Emory University's acceptance rate is approximately 11% (Atlanta, GA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Emory University?
Admitted students at Emory University typically score 1470–1550 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Emory University cost?
At Emory University, the average net price (after aid) is about $22,585 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Emory University?
Emory University enrolls approximately 7,298 undergraduate students.
Where is Emory University located?
Emory University is located in Atlanta, GA.
Emory University is a selective, mid-sized research powerhouse in Atlanta, known for its rigorous academics, pre-professional bent (especially in business and health sciences), and a student body that balances Southern charm with global ambition. With a 90%+ graduation rate and a new tuition-free pledge for families earning under $200K, Emory offers elite outcomes without Ivy League pretension.
Admissions
Getting into Emory is a high-stakes game—only 10% of applicants are admitted, with middle-50% test scores hovering at 1480-1540 SAT or 32-35 ACT (median 1510 SAT/34 ACT). The university emphasizes academic GPA, recommendations, and extracurriculars as 'very important' factors, while maintaining a waitlist for borderline candidates. Notably, 43% of enrolled students submitted test scores in recent cycles, suggesting Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. flexibility isn't deterring high achievers. Admitted students typically have unweighted GPAs in the 3.9+ range, with Reddit anecdotes highlighting that even near-perfect stats don't guarantee admission (one user reported waitlisting with a 1560 SAT/35 ACT).
Emory’s academic portfolio is both broad and deep, with 80+ majors and 60+ minors, though students cluster in management science (17%), biology (9%), neuroscience (7%), and nursing (6%). The curriculum leans pre-professional—think business (via Goizueta BBA), pre-med, and public health—but humanities like English and political science hold their own. A 2.0 GPA minimum is required in majors/minors, and the university prohibits double degrees (only one undergraduate diploma allowed). Faculty are research-active but accessible, with Reddit users praising strengths in quantitative social sciences (QSS), chemistry, and neuroscience. The vibe is collaborative but intense: 'You’ll learn, grow, and be challenged in the best way possible' per Emory’s tagline.
Emory’s social scene is a study in balance: 91% of students report feeling 'extremely safe' on campus, but Atlanta’s nightlife and cultural scene (just 15 minutes from downtown) keep things from feeling cloistered. The university bills itself as 'vibrant, engaged, and deeply connected,' with students who 'push one another to think creatively' rather than compete cutthroat-style. Greek life exists but doesn’t dominate—Reddit users call it 'by no means a party school,' though there’s still fun to be had. Over 80 student organizations span from ethics-driven initiatives to Instagram-worthy 'food and fun' events. The administration leans into buzzwords like 'polycultural' and 'socially just,' but students seem to buy in, with Campus Life accounts showcasing compassion-driven programming.
Emory delivers on the ROI promise: 92% graduate within six years, and alumni earn $74,980 median salaries six years out—well above the national average. The First Destination Survey shows strong placement in jobs and grad schools (details unspecified), with $36,427 median earnings one year post-graduation. Debt at graduation averages $24,562, lower than many peers, thanks to robust aid. Notably, 90% of cohorts persist year-to-year, suggesting students find the grind worthwhile. The numbers paint a picture of a university where nearly everyone crosses the finish line—and lands firmly on their feet.
Emory’s sticker price is steep, but 52% of undergrads receive grants/scholarships, averaging $61,922. Starting in 2026, families earning ≤$200K will pay $0 in tuition—a game-changer for middle- and upper-middle-class students. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after aid is $27,986, with 41.62% of students getting aid packages averaging $67,329. The financial aid office uses a full needs-analysis (not just FAFSA) to determine awards, and their net price calculator helps families estimate costs upfront. For context, median post-grad salaries ($75K at six years) make the debt load ($24,562 average) manageable.
Emory occupies a sweet spot: elite but not elitist, pre-professional but intellectually curious, in a major city but with a cohesive campus. Its health sciences nexus (CDC and Emory Healthcare next door) and Goizueta BBA draw career-focused students, while the 90%+ graduation rate and tuition-free pledge for ≤$200K earners signal institutional confidence. Unlike hyper-competitive peers, Emory fosters collaboration—'students don’t compete but push one another,' per its marketing—and Atlanta’s cultural cachet adds real-world heft. For students who want Ivy-caliber outcomes without the ivory tower, Emory delivers.
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