Houston vs Emory - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Emory admits 10.3% of applications, Houston admits 73.9%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 16.7% (Emory) against 5.7% (Houston).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Emory awards international students $54,457 on average, Houston awards $4,456.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Emory starts at $90,574 against $45,970 and ends at $23,245 against $29,520 (Houston).
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 73.92% acceptance). Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #101-150). Emory graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($80K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 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 Houston for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Emory for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Emory is more selective (10.29% vs 73.92% acceptance); Emory has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1240).
Emory graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($80K vs $62K); Emory has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.1% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $68,056); Emory offers a larger average aid package ($67,329 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Houston | Emory |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 73.92% | 10.29% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 40.4% |
| Median SAT | 1240 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.49 | 3.84 |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 34,614 |
| International students | 5.7% | 16.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $80K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $58K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $120K |
| Graduation rate | 64.6% | 91.1% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 96% |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $18,250 |
| Tuition · year | $27,926 | $68,056 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $67,329 |
| % of need met | 55.1% | 99.9% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,819 | $24,562 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 47,980 | 15,179 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Houston or Emory?
It's harder to get into Emory. Houston accepts 73.92% of applicants, while Emory accepts 10.29%.
Do Houston or Emory graduates earn more?
Emory graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $80K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Houston vs Emory?
Sticker-price tuition is $27,926 per year at Houston and $68,056 per year at Emory.
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Emory?
The median admitted SAT score is 1240 at Houston and 1510 at Emory; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Houston or Emory?
Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Houston vs #101-150 for Emory.
Which university offers more financial aid - Houston or Emory?
The average aid package is $16,450 at Houston and $67,329 at Emory.
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