Emory University is a private research institution located in Atlanta, Georgia, important site known for its rigorous academics, strong liberal arts foundation, and world-class professional programs. Founded in 1836, it has evolved into an academic and research powerhouse that shapes critical thinkers and compassionate leaders.
History and Identity
Emory was born from a bold idea held by Methodist leaders on the American frontier: that faith, intellect, and moral purpose belonged together. The Georgia Methodist Conference received a charter in 1836 to establish a college in Oxford, Georgia, named after Bishop John Emory.
The university’s transformative moment came in 1914, when Asa G. Candler, founder of The Coca-Cola Company, offered $1 million to establish a new Methodist university in Atlanta. Emory College moved from Oxford to Atlanta, and the institution evolved into a leading research university. Today, Emory encompasses nine schools, internationally ranked liberal arts, groundbreaking R1 research, and one of the Southeast’s leading health care systems.
Emory’s history includes several milestones: Eléonore Raoul became the first woman to enroll in 1917, the first African American students earned degrees in 1963, and former President Jimmy Carter joined the faculty in 1982. In 2014-2015, Emory University Hospital successfully treated the first Ebola virus disease patients in the Western Hemisphere, and its Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit played a key role in the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial in 2020.
Academic Structure
Emory offers 140+ undergraduate majors and minors and 350+ graduate and professional school programs. The university has 16,142 total students, including 8,347 undergraduates.
Two Campuses, Four Undergraduate Schools
Emory offers two starting points for undergraduates:
Atlanta Campus — Located in the historic Druid Hills neighborhood, this campus offers a liberal arts education at the center of a thriving research university and close connection to a vibrant, global city. It is home to Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Goizueta Business School, and the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing.
Oxford Campus — Located 38 miles east of Atlanta in Oxford, Georgia, this is Emory’s original campus. Oxford College offers a two-year liberal arts experience with small class sizes (average 19 students) and faculty mentorship, enrolling only first- and second-year students. All students then continue to Atlanta to complete their degrees.
Undergraduate Schools
Emory College — 5,567 students; 76% of classes have fewer than 30 students
Oxford College — 967 students; 19 average class size
Goizueta Business School — Ranked #8 Best Undergraduate Business Schools by Poets & Quants (2025)
School of Nursing — Ranked #1 Bachelor of Science in Nursing; 50% of education is hands-on in clinics, hospitals, and labs
Rankings and Recognition
Emory consistently ranks among the top national universities:
- #24 National Universities (U.S. News & World Report, 2026)
- #21 Best Value School
- Top 10 Private University in Forbes “New Ivies” List (2025)
- #1 Best Quality of Life in the US (Princeton Review, 2024-2025)
- #4 Best Classroom Experience in the US (Princeton Review, 2024-2025)
Program Rankings
Emory’s professional and graduate programs are nationally recognized:
- #1 Top Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering (joint program with Georgia Tech)
- #1 Best Nursing Schools: Master’s
- #2 Best Nursing Schools: BSN
- #2 Best Public Health Schools and Programs
- Tier 1 Institution for Best Medical Schools (Research)
- #12 Best Business Schools: Undergraduate Program
Emory ranks #3 worldwide for discovery of FDA-approved therapeutics over four decades.
Research and Innovation
Emory is a major research university with $1B+ in research funding awarded annually, useful reference 1,800+ active tech innovations, and 50+ major research/education centers and partnerships.
The university’s proximity to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a distinctive advantage. Emory donated 15 acres for the CDC’s headquarters in 1947, and has received more than $180 million in CDC research funding over the past decade. Undergraduates benefit through research internships, lab placements, and faculty with joint appointments across both institutions.
Emory’s research strengths span neuroscience, cancer, infectious disease, public health, and biomedical engineering. The Winship Cancer Institute and Emory University Hospital are among the leading healthcare providers in the Southeast.
Admissions
Emory’s admissions process is highly selective. For the Class of 2030, Early Decision I applications reached a record 3,593, with 1,041 admitted for an early acceptance rate of 29%. The overall acceptance rate for the 2024-25 cycle was 10.3% (37,561 applicants).
Admitted students present strong academic credentials:
- Middle 50% SAT range: 1470-1550
- Middle 50% ACT range: 32-35
- Average unweighted GPA: 3.84
- 80% ranked in top tenth of high school class
Emory remains test-optional, but competitive applicants continue to submit scores. Among enrolled first-years in the Class of 2029, 43% submitted SAT scores and 20% submitted ACT scores.
Financial Aid and Affordability
Emory has made a transformative commitment to accessibility. Starting in fall 2026, undergraduate students whose families earn $200,000 or less will pay $0 tuition through the Emory Advantage Plus program.
- 100% of demonstrated financial need met for all domestic undergraduates
- No loans in financial aid packages starting fall 2026
- 52% of undergraduates receive grants and scholarships
- $440+ million provided annually in institutional grants, merit scholarships, and financial aid
- Undergraduate financial aid commitment will exceed $1 billion over four years
For Georgia residents, the full-tuition award complements the state’s HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships. Nearly 95% of Emory’s Georgia undergraduates receive HOPE or Zell Miller.
Tuition and Cost
For the 2026-27 academic year, undergraduate tuition is $70,300**, with combined tuition, fees, room, and board totaling **$93,128. However, the vast majority of students receive significant aid that substantially reduces this cost.
Campus and Student Life
Atlanta Campus
Located in Atlanta’s historic Druid Hills neighborhood, Emory’s urban residential campus offers the closeness of a traditional college setting just minutes from Midtown. Students study beneath tree-lined walkways, gather on the Quad, and live at the center of campus life while stepping beyond the gates into a global city.
Atlanta becomes an extension of the classroom, providing access to internships, research, and cultural experiences. The city is home to the CDC, leading healthcare systems, Fortune 500 headquarters, thriving startups, and a nationally recognized arts and film scene.
- 325+ student clubs and organizations
- 330+ arts events every year
- All first and second year students live on campus across 12 residence halls
- Nine dining locations with flexible meal plans
- #1 Best College Social Environment (WalletHub, 2025)
Oxford Campus
Oxford College offers a close-knit residential community where professors know students by name and conversations continue beyond the classroom. 65% of Oxford students step into leadership roles.
Oxford traditions include Oxford Olympics, Midnight Pancake Breakfast (where faculty and staff flip flapjacks for students during finals), and a strong sense of community. The campus is located next to Covington, a charming small town featured in TV and movie productions like The Vampire Diaries and Remember the Titans.
Mascots and Traditions
- Swoop, the spirited eagle representing Emory Athletics (NCAA Division III)
- Dooley, the mysterious “Lord of Misrule” and unofficial mascot—a playful skeleton who appears at events throughout the year, with the highlight being Dooley’s Week when he interrupts classes and pops up across campus to create light-hearted mischief
Notable Alumni
Emory’s alumni network includes 180,000+ graduates worldwide, with 51,800+ in Atlanta. Notable alumni include:
- Michael Lomax — President of the United Negro College Fund
- Leah Ward Sears — First woman and youngest jurist to sit on Georgia’s Supreme Court; first African American chief justice of a state supreme court; served as Interim President of Emory
- Warrick Dunn — Philanthropist and former NFL player
- Michael Dubin — CEO of Dollar Shave Club
- Amy Ray and Emily Saliers — Grammy Award-winning Indigo Girls
- Lauren Gunderson — Most produced living playwright in America
A University Shaped by Purpose
Emory University offers a distinctive educational experience that combines rigorous academics, a strong liberal arts foundation, and world-class professional programs. Its location in Atlanta—a global city with a thriving arts scene, major research institutions, and Fortune 500 headquarters—provides unparalleled opportunities for internship, research, and cultural engagement.
With its transformative financial aid commitment through Emory Advantage Plus, Emory has positioned itself as a leader in accessibility among elite private universities. The university’s dual-campus structure offers students both the intimacy of a small liberal arts college and the resources of a major research university.
As Emory states in its mission, it is “an inquiry-driven, ethically engaged, and diverse community whose members work collaboratively for positive transformation in the world through courageous leadership in teaching, research, scholarship, health care, and social action”. For students seeking an education that integrates academic excellence with ethical purpose, site Emory stands as a compelling choice.