Boston, MAprivate nonprofitwww.emmanuel.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 74%–81% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Emmanuel College is a small, Catholic liberal arts college planted squarely in the heart of Boston's academic and medical hub, offering students a surprisingly accessible gateway to the city's immense resources. With a curriculum heavily tilted toward the life sciences and health professions, the school leverages its prime location near the Longwood Medical Area for clinical and research partnerships. The vibe is that of a tight-knit, supportive residential community where nearly 80% of students live on campus, yet the entire city serves as an extended classroom.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Emmanuel's admissions process is notably accessible, with a high that makes it a realistic target for a broad range of students. The college is , allowing applicants to decide whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. For those who do submit, the middle 50% SAT range is 1170–1340. The early decision acceptance rate is significantly higher than the regular decision rate, suggesting a strategic advantage for committed applicants. However, the overall rate—the percentage of admitted students who enroll—is relatively low, indicating that many admitted students choose other options.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
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Academically, Emmanuel is defined by its intimate scale and a strong focus on pre-professional pathways, particularly in the sciences and health fields. The college offers a wide range of undergraduate majors and minors across the arts, humanities, natural sciences, business, education, and nursing. Its most popular majors cluster in Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Business, Management, Marketing; and Health Professions. The biology program is noted as a particular strength. Small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio foster a personalized, interactive learning environment. The school's greatest academic asset is its location in Boston's Longwood Medical Area, which provides unparalleled access to clinical rotations, internships, and research partnerships with world-renowned hospitals and institutions.
Life at Emmanuel is predominantly residential and community-focused, with 78% of students living in college-owned or -affiliated housing. The campus culture is described as welcoming and sociable, with a robust slate of activities managed by the Office of Student Activities and Multicultural Programs. Students can choose from approximately 50 clubs and organizations. The college emphasizes developing the 'whole self' through a combination of academic support and student-centered services. While the campus itself is a defined community, its location just half a mile from downtown Boston means the city's cultural, social, and professional opportunities are immediately accessible, blurring the line between campus life and city life.
Graduation rates are a key metric of student success at Emmanuel. The six-year graduation rate is 68%, and 79% of first-year students return for their sophomore year. Post-graduation, median earnings for alumni ten years after entry are reported as $68,245. Early-career salary data from other sources suggests starting points are more modest, but the 10-year figure indicates solid earning growth for graduates. The college's strong connections to Boston's healthcare and business sectors through its location and partnerships likely play a significant role in these longer-term outcomes.
The published at Emmanuel is high, but the average —what students actually pay after grants and scholarships—is significantly lower. A large majority of students (73.05%) receive financial aid, with an average aid package of $42,212. The college utilizes a net price calculator to help families estimate their actual cost. Financial aid packages include grants, scholarships, and loans. The available sources do not explicitly state that Emmanuel meets 100% of demonstrated financial need or has a no-loan policy for low-income families; students should consult directly with the financial aid office for the most current policy details.
Emmanuel College's singular proposition is its fusion of a small, supportive, residential liberal arts experience with the boundless opportunities of a world-class city. It's not just near Boston; its academic identity is woven into the city's fabric, especially through its strategic partnerships in the adjacent Longwood Medical Area. This gives science and health profession students a level of hands-on, real-world access that is rare for an undergraduate-focused institution. The admissions process is relatively accessible, and the early decision route offers a notable advantage. For students seeking a close-knit community where professors know their names, but who also want the internships, culture, and career networks of a major metropolis, Emmanuel provides a compelling and unique package.