Emory vs West Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
West Virginia accepts most of the applications it receives (89%), while Emory turns away the overwhelming majority (10.3%).
The larger international cohort belongs to Emory: 16.7% of students against 1.7% (West Virginia).
Real money goes to international students at Emory ($54,457 on average), while West Virginia stops at $21,636.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Emory lists $90,574 against $47,480 (West Virginia), but after average aid what remains is $23,245 against $30,750.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Emory is the more selective of the two (10.29% vs 89% acceptance). Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #501-600). Emory graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($80K vs $56K). West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $68,056 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Emory for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose West Virginia for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Emory is more selective (10.29% vs 89% acceptance); Emory has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1110).
Emory graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($80K vs $56K); Emory has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.1% vs 64.7%).
West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $68,056); Emory offers a larger average aid package ($67,329 vs $16,730).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Emory | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 10.29% | 89% |
| Yield rate | 40.4% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1110 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.84 | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 34,614 | 20,150 |
| International students | 16.7% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $56K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $58K | $36K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $120K | $84K |
| Graduation rate | 91.1% | 64.7% |
| Retention rate | 96% | 83.4% |
| Median debt | $18,250 | $22,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,056 | $28,608 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,329 | $16,730 |
| % of need met | 99.9% | 63% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,562 | $36,010 |
| Application fee | $75 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 15,179 | 23,643 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Emory or West Virginia?
It's harder to get into Emory. Emory accepts 10.29% of applicants, while West Virginia accepts 89%.
Do Emory or West Virginia graduates earn more?
Emory graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $80K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at Emory vs West Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,056 per year at Emory and $28,608 per year at West Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Emory or West Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Emory and 1110 at West Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Emory or West Virginia?
Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Emory vs #501-600 for West Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Emory or West Virginia?
The average aid package is $67,329 at Emory and $16,730 at West Virginia.
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