“Emory University first two years — 56-acre residential campus in Oxford, GA with 13% acceptance rate and the intimacy of a small college combined with the prestige of a top-20 research university.”
Oxford College of Emory University is a two-year residential liberal arts college located on a 56-acre campus in Oxford, Georgia, approximately 38 miles east of Emory University main Atlanta campus. Founded in 1836 as the original site of Emory College before the university relocated to Atlanta, Oxford remains one of Emory University nine colleges and schools, enrolling approximately 1,000 first- and second-year students exclusively. Oxford College represents a unique and prestigious pathway: students admitted to Oxford complete their first two years there, then transfer automatically to Emory Atlanta — without a separate application — to complete a full Emory University bachelor degree in any of over 85 available majors. Oxford College maintains an average class size of just 19 students and a 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio, delivering the personalized attention of a small liberal arts college within the academic and institutional infrastructure of a top-20 research university. The admissions process is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 13%, reflecting Emory University overall caliber. Students from more than 29 countries make up approximately 14% of Oxford enrollment. The campus is fully residential — nearly all students live in Oxford residence halls — and the close-knit community in a small Georgia town creates a distinctive undergraduate experience characterized by intellectual intensity and strong peer bonds. Students benefit from access to Emory University resources including research opportunities, study abroad, and career services, even during their Oxford years. Admission to Oxford College includes automatic consideration for Emory Scholar Program merit scholarships, including full-tuition Woodruff Scholarships, awarded to the highest-achieving applicants who apply by November 15. Oxford College has been test-optional since 2020, with the policy extended through the 2026-27 admissions cycle.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Regional Universities South
US News Best Colleges 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Decision I
Binding; early notification
Early Decision II
Binding; scholarship deadline
Regular Decision
Apply by November 15 for merit scholarship consideration
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$64,280
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Foundational STEM coursework in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and neuroscience. Students pursuing pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy, or STEM research careers build their foundation at Oxford before continuing to Emory Atlanta.
Strong social science curriculum including economics, political science, sociology, and psychology. Oxford prepares students for careers in policy, business, law, and academic research.
Broad liberal arts foundation in English, history, philosophy, religion, and arts. Theory-practice service learning courses integrate classroom instruction with community engagement.
Pre-business coursework and foundation studies for students who will continue in Emory Goizueta Business School or other professional programs at the Atlanta campus.
2 years
Oxford grants an Associate of Arts degree after two years of study. Students then transfer automatically to Emory Atlanta — without a separate transfer application — to complete a full Emory bachelor degree in any of over 85 majors. The Oxford experience provides exceptional small-class education while preserving access to the full Emory degree, resources, and alumni network.
2 years
Oxford is one of Emory most popular pre-medicine pathways. Biology, chemistry, and neuroscience foundation courses at Oxford, combined with access to Emory School of Medicine resources and mentorship, create a strong pathway to top U.S. medical school admissions.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $64,280
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
