Emory University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Atlanta, Georgia · Private nonprofit · Highly selective · CDS 2025-2026

Acceptance rate
10%
37,561 applicants
Median SAT
1510
Mid 50: 1480–1540
In-state tuition
$64,280
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$22,585
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Emory University is a private nonprofit university in Atlanta, Georgia that admits about 10% of applicants, making it a highly selective school. The average family pays about $22,585 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Biology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 91% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 11.8 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Emory University is a private institution located in Atlanta, Georgia and one of the highly selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, Emory University admits between 1 in 10 and 1 in 4 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 10%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1510 and an ACT composite around 33. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $22,585 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Emory University?

77% of enrolled students at Emory University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.8, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
14.0%
3.75–3.99
63.0%
3.50–3.74
21.0%
3.25–3.49
2.0%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Emory University.

What does Emory University weight in admissions?

Emory University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important6 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
  • Standardized test scores
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
Important3 factors
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Volunteer work

SAT and ACT scores Emory University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 750–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 720. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 32–35. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1480
50th percentile1510
75th percentile1540
% submitting SAT47%
ACT Composite
25th percentile33
50th percentile34
75th percentile35
% submitting ACT21%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class76%
Top 25% of class97%
Top 50% of class99%
% submitting class rank17%

How much does Emory University actually cost?

Published tuition is $64,280 for in-state students and $64,280 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $20,220 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $22,585 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 18% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition
Room and board$22,406
Average net price (after aid)$22,585
Application fee$75 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Emory University

Regular admission
Regular deadline1/1
Notification date1-Apr
Reply deadline1-May
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 1
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineJanuary 1
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)22%

Will my child graduate from Emory University?

These predict outcomes at Emory University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
95%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
91%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Emory University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Emory University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Biology, General. Across all programs, Emory University confers roughly 1,611 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $127,583 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Business Administration, Management and Operations358$127,583
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing297$89,034
Biology, General203$67,087
Economics178$104,633
Neurobiology and Neurosciences167$66,695
Psychology, General153$67,538
Statistics151
Chemistry104$64,937
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Emory University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Emory University disclosed 86 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 11.8 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 14 violent offenses and 23 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
86
11.8 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
14
1.92 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
23
3.15 per 1,000
Burglary
37
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 7,298 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Emory University?

About 58% of undergraduates at Emory University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 22% of men join a fraternity and 22% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
58%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
22%
of men
In sororities
22%
of women
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Emory University.

Other colleges in Georgia parents ask about

Next steps for Emory University

Common questions parents ask about Emory University

What GPA do I need for Emory University?

77% of enrolled students at Emory University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.8, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Emory University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 750–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 720. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 32–35.

How much does Emory University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Emory University after grants and scholarships is $22,585 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $64,280. Budget against the net figure.

Is Emory University realistic for my child?

Emory University admits 10% of applicants, so 750–790 SAT Math is target range and below 750 is a reach. Then check the $22,585 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Emory University?

Emory University accepts about 10% of applicants out of roughly 37,561 who apply each year. That makes it a highly selective school.

Is Emory University test-optional?

Yes. Emory University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Emory University?

About 91% of students at Emory University graduate within six years. 95% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Emory University?

Emory University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 22%, compared with its overall rate of 10%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.

What does Emory University look for in applicants?

Emory University rates course rigor, GPA, test scores and extracurricular activities as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Emory University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Emory University is a private nonprofit institution located in Atlanta, Georgia.

What are the most popular majors at Emory University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Emory University by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Biology, General. The school awards about 1,611 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Emory University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Emory University reported 86 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 11.8 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Emory University?

At Emory University, 58% of undergraduates live on campus, 22% of men are in fraternities, 22% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Emory University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers