Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Atlanta, Georgia
11.1% Acceptance Rate
Emory University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
11.1%Acceptance Rate
3.8Avg GPA
1507Avg SAT
33Avg ACT
$78,814Annual Cost
$80,137Grad Salary
18.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
11.1%
Avg GPA
3.8
Avg SAT
1507
Avg ACT
33
Selectivity
Extremely Competitive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1460–1550
ACT Middle 50%
32–34
Need-Based Aid
18.2% receive Pell
Emory University, founded in 1836, is a leading research university in Atlanta, Georgia. Known for its medical school and public health programs, Emory partners with the CDC and Carter Center. The university's Oxford College offers a distinctive two-year liberal arts experience. Emory's research spans from neuroscience to ethics at the Center for Ethics.
The campus features Michael C. Carlos Museum and Lullwater Preserve. Alumni include healthcare leaders and Pulitzer winners. Emory's emphasis on global health and social justice shapes its academic mission. Its Atlanta location provides cultural and professional opportunities.
Emory University Acceptance Rate
Getting into Emory University is a genuine long shot for most applicants: the acceptance rate is 11.1%, meaning admission is reserved for a small fraction of an already strong applicant pool.
What Emory University Admissions Looks For
- Essay Distinctiveness: Reviewers read thousands of similar transcripts; the essays are where genuinely different applicants stand out.
- Class Rank: Admitted students typically finish in the top 2–5% of their graduating class.
- Curriculum Rigor: AP, IB, or Honors coursework is treated as a baseline, not a bonus.
Selectivity at a Glance
Extremely Competitive
Selectivity scale: Extremely Competitive — 11.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Average scores just get you in the conversation here. What actually separates admits from the rest of a strong pool is the essays and recommendations.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.80 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.60 – 3.79
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.35
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Emory University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Emory University is 3.8. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.50 and 3.8, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.00–4.20.Emory University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective — this GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.80 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.60 – 3.79
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.40 – 3.59
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.39
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Two required supplemental essays: a 200-word "why this major at Emory" prompt, and a 150-word prompt chosen from four options (community, cultural awareness, service to humanity, or navigating disagreement).
- Oxford College (two-year, Oxford, GA campus) historically admits at a higher rate (~18-22%) than Emory College (~10-11%), with automatic transfer to the Atlanta campus for years three and four and an identical final degree.
- Test-optional for the 2025-26 cycle; Emory College's overall acceptance rate was approximately 10-15% depending on the specific cycle and source cited (Class of 2028 vs. Class of 2029 figures differ).
- Emory fills a majority of its class through Early Decision (roughly 60% for Emory College, 50% for Oxford), with ED acceptance rates substantially higher than Regular Decision.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Emory University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Emory University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Emory University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Emory University — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Emory University Without SAT or ACT?
Emory University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Emory University Average SAT Score: 1507
Admitted students at Emory University average a 1507 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1507 — Extremely Competitive
Very few schools post an average this high; a 1507 puts Emory University among the most academically selective by SAT alone.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1550 SAT or 34 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Emory University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1460? A retake is worth it at Emory University — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 770 | 750 | 790 |
| SAT Reading | 735 | 710 | 760 |
| SAT Composite | 1507 | 1460 | 1550 |
A score under 1460 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1550+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1500
Can I get into Emory University with a 1550 SAT?
At 1550, your SAT is squarely in Emory University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Emory University ACT Requirements
Emory University's admitted students average an ACT of 33.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 33 — Very Competitive
Emory University's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 33 | 32 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 33 | 32 | 34 |
Can I get into Emory University with a 34 ACT?
At 34, you're in the top quarter of Emory University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections — English, Math, Reading, Science — are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Emory University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Emory University
Elite Strategy: The 'Spike' Approach
At this tier, the applicants who get in usually have one thing in common: a clear, specific reason Emory University needed them, not just a strong transcript.
Treat the Oxford College pathway as a legitimate strategic option, not a fallback
Emory's Oxford College - a two-year liberal arts campus in Oxford, GA, 38 miles from Atlanta - historically admits at a meaningfully higher rate (roughly 18-22%) than direct Emory College admission (roughly 10-11%), with students automatically transferring to the Atlanta campus for years three and four and graduating with an identical Emory University degree. Present this as a genuine, no-stigma strategic choice for borderline applicants who want an Emory degree, not as a consolation prize, since Oxford students share the same diploma as Emory College students.
Use the required "why major" essay (200 words) to demonstrate sustained, specific interest, not last-minute enthusiasm
Emory's first required essay explicitly asks both what a student loves about their subject and how Emory's specific program meets that interest - admissions experts note that Emory, like other highly selective schools, favors applicants who've shown sustained focus in one area over self-described "undecided" applicants. Push students to name specific Emory courses, professors, or research centers tied to their major rather than writing a generic passion narrative, and to make sure their extracurricular list on the rest of the application reinforces this same focus area.
Choose the second essay prompt (150 words) based on what's genuinely unaddressed elsewhere
Emory's second required essay offers four distinct options (community impact, expanding cultural awareness, contributing to Emory's "service to humanity" mission, or navigating disagreement in a scholarly setting) at a tight 150-word limit. Help students pick whichever option reveals something not already covered in the Common App personal statement or the major-interest essay, since redundancy wastes scarce space in such a short response.
Build the application calendar around Emory's heavy reliance on Early Decision
Emory College fills roughly 60% of its incoming class through ED rounds (Oxford fills about 50%), with ED I acceptance rates running more than double the overall rate (~31%) and ED II also notably higher (~20%) than Regular Decision. For students who have genuinely decided Emory or Oxford is a top choice, discuss the binding ED commitment explicitly, including the strategic value of ED II (January 1 deadline) for students deferred or rejected elsewhere in ED I.
Expert Insight:
Families sometimes treat Emory's official "demonstrated interest is not considered" policy as license to skip optional engagement entirely - but with a yield rate under 50% and the university tracking campus visits and optional alumni interviews through its admissions portal regardless, these signals can still matter at the margins. Encourage low-cost engagement (virtual tours, info sessions) even though it's not formally weighted as "demonstrated interest" in the traditional sense.
Emory University Profile
Full Name
Emory University
City
Atlanta
State
Georgia
ZIP Code
30322
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Emory University Degree Worth It?
At $78,814/year against a $80,137 median graduate salary, Emory University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $80,500, and graduates see a 2.91% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Emory University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $78,814/year at Emory University; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Emory University, 18.2% receive a Pell Grant and 11.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Emory University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Emory University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Emory University graduates report a median income of $80,137, about 97% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Emory University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | 1494 | 33 |
| Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA | 1486 | 33 |
| University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | 1463 | 34 |
| Amherst College | Amherst, MA | 1494 | 33 |
| Boston University | Boston, MA | 1473 | 33 |
| Brandeis University | Waltham, MA | 1473 | 33 |
| Smith College | Northampton, MA | 1480 | 33 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Emory University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 1501 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | 1513 | 34 |
| University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | 1510 | 34 |
| Bowdoin College | Brunswick, ME | 1514 | 34 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Emory University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey Mudd College | Claremont, CA | 1537 | 35 |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 1554 | 35 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | 1553 | 35 |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | 1553 | 35 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | 1553 | 35 |
Degree Programs at Emory University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Emory University Admissions
Graduates of Emory University earn a high median salary — $80,137/year, varying by field.
Tuition at Emory University runs high — roughly $78,814+/year — so financial aid planning matters.
18.2% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Emory University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Emory University's acceptance rate is 11.1%, in the 10–20% band. Admission is very competitive and requires a strong academic profile.
The average GPA of admitted Emory University students is 3.8, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.5 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Emory University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.4 or below makes admission tougher at Emory University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Emory University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1507, and within the 1460–1550 range, keeps you competitive.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.