Atlanta, GA · Private University
Is Emory University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$80,137
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$60,774
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$60,774
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$243,096
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.32x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
91.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,250
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$23,911
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Emory University graduates earn $35,137 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Emory University ranked by graduate earnings
31 graduates
231 graduates
66 graduates
299 graduates
33 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Emory University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Emory University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $133,212) and the lowest (Music: $33,430) is $99,782/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $133,212 | 2.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $107,945 | 1.8x |
| Economics | $86,679 | 1.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $78,274 | 1.3x |
| Area Studies | $77,707 | 1.3x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $61,472 | 1.0x |
| Statistics(1yr data) | $60,714 | 1.0x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $59,402 | 1.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $56,441 | 0.9x |
| Sociology | $56,032 | 0.9x |
| Chemistry | $54,509 | 0.9x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $53,363 | 0.9x |
| Anthropology | $53,024 | 0.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $52,860 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, General | $52,842 | 0.9x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $52,404 | 0.9x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $51,789 | 0.8x |
| History | $50,737 | 0.8x |
| Biology, General | $48,491 | 0.8x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $47,845 | 0.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies(1yr data) | $37,237 | 0.6x |
| MusicLowest(1yr data) | $33,430 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emory University | 1.32x | $80,137 | Average ROI |
| Vanderbilt University | 1.43x | $91,565 | Average ROI |
| Wake Forest University | 1.21x | $78,158 | Average ROI |
| Duke University | 1.49x | $97,800 | Average ROI |
| Washington University in St Louis | 1.37x | $86,182 | Average ROI |
| Johns Hopkins University | 1.38x | $87,555 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Emory University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $80,137 10 years after starting — $35,137 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.4 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.