At $23,911/yr net price, Emory University graduates earn $80,137/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $46,137/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,911 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $95,644 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $80,137/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$46,137/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 91.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,895/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,640/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,687/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,124/yr |
| $110,001+ | $54,582/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies. | Master | $194,665 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Master | $162,817 | $170,901 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $135,250 | $47,269 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $134,287 | $60,046 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $104,440 | $174,639 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $100,571 | $63,050 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $83,177 | $15,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $77,283 | $19,500 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $72,711 | $134,617 |
| Genetics. | Master | $72,671 |
The Risk Factor
91.8% of students at Emory University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Emory gives you a strong financial return with low risk. You leave with a median debt of $18,250 and earn $80,137 ten years out, so your typical debt load is well under a single year's median earnings. A 91.8% graduation rate and 96.17% retention mean you are very likely to actually finish and collect that payoff, which is the biggest financial risk at most schools and largely off the table here.
Computer science pays best at $83,177, and its graduates carry the lowest debt of any listed program at $15,500, making it the clearest win. Business administration follows close behind. Nursing at $64,055 and the two math programs near $63,000 pay less and, in nursing's case, come with slightly higher debt, so your return is thinner if you go that route. All five listed programs are bachelor-level, and all clear their debt comfortably within a few years of earnings. Atlanta's job market supports the CS and business paths directly.
The net price tiers are where Emory splits sharply by income. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $6,895 a year. between $30-48k, $8,640. Those are strong numbers for a private university and make Emory a serious value for lower-income families. The jump is steep in the middle: $75-110k families pay $21,124, and above $110k you pay $54,582, essentially full freight.
Emory is a good financial fit for you if your family income lands under roughly $75k, where the price stays low and the earnings and completion rates make the math easy. If your family earns over $110k and you plan to major in a lower-paying field, the $54,582 sticker deserves hard scrutiny against cheaper options. Pick CS or business to get the most out of the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emory University worth the cost?
Emory's graduates earn $80,137 ten years after enrollment with relatively low debt of $18,250, making it a solid investment for most students. The net price of $23,911 after aid is reasonable for a top-tier private university, especially given the 92% graduation rate.
What majors at Emory University have the best ROI?
Medical and health programs at Emory deliver exceptional returns, with medical clinical sciences graduates earning nearly $195,000 annually. Business majors also perform well at around $135,000, while other health-related fields average over $100,000.
How much financial aid does Emory University actually give?
Emory brings the sticker price down significantly through aid, with students paying an average net price of $23,911 per year. The school meets demonstrated need well, keeping median debt low at $18,250 despite the high initial cost.
Is Emory University too expensive for middle-class families?
Middle-class families often find Emory affordable due to substantial need-based aid that reduces costs to under $24,000 annually for many students. The combination of strong earnings potential and manageable debt levels makes it accessible beyond just wealthy families.