2025 College Rankings

Emory University is well regarded among Southern colleges, particularly in the field of medicine; but in recent years, it has undermined its reputation through an unfortunate commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. For three years running, Emory has received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award—a sign of its deep devotion to the diversity regime. The university maintains a sizable DEI bureaucracy, with three DEI staff per 1,000 students, and employs a Chief Diversity Officer. Emory’s DEI emphasis has led to allegations of race-based—rather than merit-based—preferences, prompting a federal investigation announced this year.

The administration’s support for free speech is mixed. Emory has endorsed the Chicago Principles, which uphold free expression, and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) gives the school a “green” speech code rating—indicating that, on paper, its policies do not restrict speech. But student perceptions tell a different story. According to FIRE, only 22 percent of students say that it is “extremely” or “very” clear that the administration protects campus speech. Just 15 percent think it “extremely” or “very” likely that the administration would defend a speaker’s right to express controversial views; 43 percent say “somewhat likely.” The school also operates a bias-response system, reinforcing the perception that it places less value on free speech than it claims.

Emory’s faculty is not especially diverse in its views. Students rate their professors at 2.6 on a 1–7 ideological scale, where 1 is “very liberal” and 7 is “very conservative,” according to FIRE. In the 2023–24 election cycle, less than 1 percent of faculty donations went to Republican or conservative causes. Few professors are affiliated with the Academic Freedom Alliance or Heterodox Academy, organizations dedicated to promoting free inquiry in higher education.

Students at Emory tend to be intolerant of opposing political views—especially conservative ones. Many report to FIRE that they are far more willing to bar right-wing speakers than left-wing ones. A troubling 36 percent say that it is “sometimes” or “always” acceptable to shout down a speaker; 21 percent say the same about blocking access to a speech; and 15 percent believe that violence is sometimes or always justified. These attitudes have translated into action: since 2019, there have been three de-platforming attempts at Emory—one successful. In 2020, a speech by pro-life activist Toni McFadden was canceled.

Emory’s curriculum leaves something to be desired. The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) gives the school a C in its What Will They Learn? ratings, which assign letter grades based on how many of seven core subjects are required in the core curriculum or general education program. Emory does not require students to study history or civics to graduate but does mandate DEI-focused coursework. ACTA highlights one area of excellence: the Program in Democracy and Citizenship, which sponsors courses across six departments, supports postdoctoral teaching positions, and brings guest speakers to campus to lecture on the American Founding. The program is also developing a voluntary core curriculum centered on Great Books in the Western tradition—a welcome addition to Emory’s academic offerings.

Graduate outcomes at Emory tend to fall slightly short of expectations. Median earnings ten years after enrollment underperform projections, and both retention and six-year graduation rates are modestly below expectations. On the positive side, students typically pay back the cost of their education in about two years—slightly better than our overall average of 2.3 years. Emory’s alumni network is ranked among the top 20 nationwide for private colleges by The Princeton Review, potentially giving graduates a helpful early-career boost.