Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia · Private Nonprofit · 10.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 92/100 · Exceptional Value
Emory University scores 92 (Exceptional Value) on CampusROI, among the highest for any research university in the Southeast. A 5.1-year payback period, $65,500 median 6-year earnings, 91.1% completion rate, and remarkably low median debt of $18,250 drive the score. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.279 is the third-strongest sub-score, reflecting an aid model that keeps borrowing well below sticker. Net price of $22,585 is competitive for a school with $64,280 tuition. Business Administration leads earnings volume: 422 graduates, $85,682 year-one, $136,731 year-four, ROI grade A -- Emory's Goizueta Business School feeds into consulting and finance pipelines at high rates. Computer Science (89 graduates, $80,623 year-one, $159,541 year-four, ROI grade A) is the highest four-year earnings program. Registered Nursing (140 graduates) and Economics (158 graduates) are volume programs with B+ grades. The science programs -- Biology (211 graduates), Chemistry (95 graduates), Neurosciences (153 graduates) -- show low year-one earnings consistent with a pre-med/graduate-school pipeline, but year-four figures in the $70,000-$79,000 range suggest professional school placement drives strong eventual outcomes.
The median graduate earns $80,137 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
Emory University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $64,280/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $64,280/yr |
| Average net price | $22,585/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $90,340 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $80,137 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $65,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $193 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 91.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 7,298 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Emory University is $64,280/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $22,585/year, or roughly $90,340 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,363/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $53,018/year.
The median graduate leaves with $18,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $193 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $80,137 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.28 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,363 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,220 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,237 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,821 |
| $110,001+ | $53,018 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $7,363 per year at Emory -- $29,452 over four years. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $9,220. These figures are among the most aggressive low-income net prices for a highly selective private university in the Southeast. Against $65,500 median 6-year earnings and a 5.1-year payback, low-income families with admitted students face an exceptional financial opportunity. Emory's 91.1% completion rate means the vast majority of these students will graduate and capture those outcomes.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $11,237 per year -- still very accessible. The 75001-110000 bracket pays $13,821. Middle-income families earning up to $110,000 face total four-year costs of $45,000-$55,000, which against $65,500 median earnings and strong business/CS/nursing outcomes is a compelling value proposition. Emory's middle-income aid structure is notably generous relative to comparable research universities.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $53,018 per year -- approximately $212,000 over four years. At a 5.1-year payback and $65,500 median 6-year earnings, the full-pay case requires students entering higher-earning tracks. Business Administration and CS graduates at Emory have strong year-one earnings that make the full-pay math workable. For students in biology, neurosciences, or pre-health on graduate/medical school tracks, the $212,000 investment is offset by long-run medical professional earnings.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Emory University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $136,731 | A |
| Biology | $70,959 | D |
| Psychology | $59,628 | C |
| Economics | $111,631 | B+ |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $73,795 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $101,903 | B+ |
| Statistics | $93,446 | B+ |
| Chemistry | $79,034 | C |
| Computer Science | $159,541 | A |
| International Relations | $94,001 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration at Goizueta is Emory's ROI anchor: 422 graduates, $85,682 year-one, $136,731 year-four, ROI grade A, with median debt of $19,500 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.228. Goizueta's placement into consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) and investment banking pipelines drives these figures. The year-four trajectory to $136,731 reflects two-year analyst programs converting to associate roles. This is among the highest-volume A-grade business programs in the Southeast.
Computer Science
Computer Science (89 graduates) delivers $80,623 year-one and $159,541 at year four -- the highest four-year earnings figure in the Emory program set. Median debt of $15,250 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.189 (ROI grade A) reflect very low borrowing relative to strong earnings. The year-four figure likely captures graduates who remained in software engineering plus some who moved into finance or product management. The Emory CS pipeline connects to Atlanta's growing tech sector and to national employers.
Economics
Economics (158 graduates) earns $71,340 year-one and $111,631 year-four, with median debt of $21,000 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.294 (ROI grade B+). Emory economics graduates track into finance, consulting, and policy at rates similar to business majors. The year-four figure of $111,631 reflects significant career advancement and the Atlanta business market's appetite for analytically trained graduates. Economics is the second-largest program at Emory after business administration.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (140 graduates) earns $79,073 year-one and $101,903 year-four with median debt of $25,000 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.316 (ROI grade B+). Emory's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing feeds directly into the extensive Emory Healthcare system and Atlanta's broader hospital network. The year-one figure of $79,073 is strong -- Atlanta healthcare compensation is competitive relative to national nursing benchmarks. Nursing is Emory's highest-volume non-business program.
International Relations
International Relations (87 graduates) earns $46,629 year-one and $94,001 at year four, with median debt of $17,590 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.377 (ROI grade B). The low median debt of $17,590 -- well below the institutional median -- reflects strong aid packaging for international relations students. The four-year jump to $94,001 indicates significant career mobility, likely reflecting law school, graduate policy programs, and consulting placement. Emory's Atlanta location and Carter Center proximity give international relations students distinctive access to development and policy networks.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 80.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 82.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 84.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 87.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 10.7% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 750-790 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 720-760 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 32-35 |
| Enrollment | 7,298 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 18.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $16,636 |
At 10.7%, Emory's admission rate places it among the top 20-30 most selective universities nationally. The SAT 750-790 Math and 720-760 Reading ranges describe the middle 50% of the admitted class. ACT 32-35 is the parallel benchmark. Emory's aid model is strong for low- and middle-income families: families earning under $75,000 pay $7,363-$11,237 per year, making it genuinely affordable for admitted students across most income bands below $75,000. The substantial gap between aid for families under $75,000 and the $53,018 net price at $110,000+ income reflects a tiered model that prioritizes access for lower-income admitted students.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Emory's Scorecard peer schools include Agnes Scott College, Clark Atlanta University, Georgetown University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Washington University in St. Louis. Georgetown (ROI approximately 90) and Washington University in St. Louis (ROI approximately 92-93) are the most relevant academic comparables. Emory's 5.1-year payback is faster than Georgetown (approximately 5.8 years) and comparable to WashU. Emory's median debt of $18,250 is notably lower than these peers, reflecting its aid model. The 91.1% completion rate is competitive in this group. Emory's primary competitive advantage on ROI is the combination of Goizueta business outcomes, low median debt, and aggressive middle-income pricing.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emory University (this school) | 92 | $22,585 | $80,137 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 97 | $31,944 | $114,862 |
| Washington University in St Louis | 96 | $21,786 | $86,182 |
| Georgetown University | 93 | $40,815 | $103,494 |
| Agnes Scott College | 45 | $24,754 | $56,274 |
| Clark Atlanta University | 14 | $37,702 | $42,712 |
Who Thrives Here
Emory admits 10.7% of applicants, placing it in the highly selective tier. SAT mid-ranges are 750-790 Math and 720-760 Reading; ACT 32-35. Enrollment of 7,298 gives Emory a medium-university feel with substantial research infrastructure. Pell rate of 18.2% is meaningful for a school at this selectivity level. Atlanta's role as a major regional business hub and the proximity of the CDC and major healthcare institutions give Emory a distinctive career context for public health, medicine, and business students. The Goizueta Business School, nursing program, and pre-health tracks are the dominant career-pipeline concentrations.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Emory University is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $90,340 and median graduate earnings of $80,137 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 5.1 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 91.1% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $18,250 is very manageable against $80,137 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.