Emory University draws driven, competitive students who also know the value of enjoying college life. This mid-sized private Christian university enrolls just over 8,000 undergraduate students, and its academic landscape is dominated by pre-professional majors, particularly those interested in health sciences.
Emory is very selective, with an acceptance rate below 12%, so no matter which field you're in, you'll be surrounded by people fighting for top grades and logging the study hours to show for it. Set in a suburban area of Atlanta, there's always a game, cultural event or show going on in the neighboring communities, which include Buckhead, Decatur, Midtown and Little Five Points. The campus is gorgeously green, and there's a thriving Greek scene that provides a built-in network of friends to those who rush.
There are 17 varsity athletic teams. As for the student body, the school's sticker price of over $90,000 a year attracts some more affluent students, though ultimately about half receive grant or scholarship aid. Eligible families earning less than $200,000 don't pay tuition, and Emory meets 100% of a student's demonstrated need without need-based loans. Once their time in college is up, students often find their Emory education was a good foundation: The school's graduates earn a median income of $90,000 four years after getting their degree, according to College Scorecard.
