More selective than 100% of Georgia colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
42% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 19% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Emory University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Emory University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Emory University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- SAT/ACT scores
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Volunteer work
- Class rank
- Interview
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Work experience
- Religious affiliation
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of Emory University first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.80. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
22% of early decision applicants were admitted (1,049 of 4,728). Admitted students must enroll.
7,608 offered a spot, 6,422 took it, 274 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Emory University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Emory University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 720 | 760 |
| SAT math | 750 | 790 |
| ACT composite | 32 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1470 | 1550 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Emory University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 11% | 720–760 | 750–790 | 32–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 11% | 710–760 | 750–790 | 32–34 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Emory University compared with other Georgia colleges?
Emory University has the lowest acceptance rate of 46 Georgia colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emory University | 11% | 91% | $22,585 |
| 2 | Georgia Institute of Technology | 14% | 94% | $12,116 |
| 3 | Spelman College | 25% | 78% | $38,967 |
| 4 | University of Georgia | 38% | 90% | $13,936 |
| 5 | Thomas University | 38% | 28% | $18,499 |
| 6 | Morehouse College | 44% | 59% | $39,013 |
| 7 | Point University | 44% | 34% | $25,335 |
| 8 | Andrew College | 46% | 33% | $21,823 |
| 9 | University of West Georgia | 52% | 43% | $12,786 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Georgia colleges →
Who enrolls at Emory University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Emory University admissions questions
What is the Emory University acceptance rate?
Emory University accepts 11% of applicants, about 1 in 9. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 3,543 of 31,929 applicants were admitted.
Does Emory University require the SAT or ACT?
Emory University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 42% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 19% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Emory University?
The middle 50% of Emory University enrolled first-year students scored 1470–1550 on the SAT and 32–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Emory University?
40% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,426 of 3,543).
What does Emory University look for in applicants?
Emory University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA, sAT/ACT scores, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities. Important: essay, recommendations, volunteer work. Considered: class rank, interview, first-generation college student, alumni relation (legacy), where you live, state residency, work experience. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Emory University have early decision?
Yes. Emory University offers binding early decision; 22% of early decision applicants were admitted for fall 2025 (1,049 of 4,728).
How many students get off the Emory University waitlist?
For fall 2025, 7,608 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 6,422 accepted one and 274 were admitted (4% of those who stayed on the list).
Is Emory University getting harder to get into?
Emory University accepted 11% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 11% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Emory University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Emory University overview