Is Emory or NYU harder to get into?

NYU is harder to get into than Emory. NYU's 9.2% acceptance rate is lower than Emory's 10.7%.

Which is cheaper, Emory or NYU?

Emory costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Emory's average net price is $22,585 vs $37,050 at NYU.

Which has higher post-graduation earnings, Emory or NYU?

NYU graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $80,137 at Emory and $82,509 at NYU.

Emory vs. NYU: Acceptance Rate, SAT, Cost & Outcomes Compared

Metric	Emory	NYU
Acceptance rate	10.7%	9.2%
SAT mid-50%	1470–1550	1480–1560
ACT mid-50%	32–35	34–35
Cost of attendance	$83,622	$84,374
Avg net price (after aid)	$22,585	$37,050
Undergrad enrollment	7,298	28,663
6-yr graduation rate	91.1%	87.6%
Median earnings (10yr)	$80,137	$82,509
Setting	Atlanta, Georgia	New York, New York

The Real Differences

NYU is modestly harder to get into. The 1.4-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.

Emory is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $14,465 per year, $57,860 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.

NYU is substantially larger with 28,663 undergrads vs 7,298 at Emory. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.

Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Emory is in Atlanta, Georgia; NYU is in New York, New York. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.

NYU has a more international student body (26.1% non-resident students vs 15.8%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.

Student Body Composition

The two schools have different student body compositions. Emory is 56.8% women, 15.8% international, and 25.1% Asian-American. NYU is 59.3% women, 26.1% international, and 22.2% Asian-American.

Demographic	Emory	NYU
Women	56.8%	59.3%
International	15.8%	26.1%
White	29.9%	22.0%
Asian	25.1%	22.2%
Hispanic	12.1%	14.4%
Black	10.4%	6.9%

Personalized estimate

What are your odds at Emory vs. NYU?

Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.

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The Verdict

Pick Emory if

Your odds are realistic at Emory (slightly easier admit)
Net price matters: Emory costs $14,465 less per year on average
Higher 6-year graduation rate
the Emory and Oxford College campuses

Pick NYU if

Higher median post-grad earnings ($82,509 vs $80,137)
the Tisch School of the Arts

Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.

Full School Pages

For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:

Full profile

Emory University

10.7% accept · Atlanta, Georgia

Full profile

New York University

9.2% accept · New York, New York

Sources

U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.

Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.

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Emory University vs. New York University