BU vs. BYU

Boston University and Brigham Young University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Boston University
Brigham Young University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BU (11.1% admitted vs 67.8%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: BYU. Average net price is $16,694 vs $24,420 at BU.
  • Graduation: BU 85% vs BYU 78%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BU $72,000 vs BYU $69,100 (median).
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Key differences

Boston University Brigham Young University
Acceptance rate
BU more selective
BU11.1%
BYU67.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BU higher
BU1420-1530
BYU1270-1460
Average net price
BYU $7,726 less
BU$24,420
BYU$16,694
In-state tuition
BYU $61,414 less
BU$68,102
BYU$6,688
Out-of-state tuition
BYU $61,414 less
BU$68,102
BYU$6,688
Graduation rate
BU +7 pts
BU85%
BYU78%
Median earnings (10 years)
BU +$2,900
BU$72,000
BYU$69,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BU 78,769
  • BYU 11,698
  • Admitted
  • BU 8,749
  • BYU 7,929
  • Acceptance rate
  • BU 11.1%
  • BYU 67.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BU 37.4%
  • BYU 77.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BU 1480
  • BYU 1370
  • Typical ACT score
  • BU 33
  • BYU 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • BU 3.79
  • BYU 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • BU A-
  • BYU A
  • Admissions standards
  • BU Exceptional
  • BYU Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • BU Very High
  • BYU Low
  • SAT range
  • BU 1420-1530
  • BYU 1270-1460
  • ACT range
  • BU 32-34
  • BYU 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • BU Test optional
  • BYU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • BYU Dec 16, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BU $68,102
  • BYU $6,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BU $68,102
  • BYU $6,688
  • Room & board
  • BU $19,020
  • BYU $10,396
  • Average net price
  • BU $24,420
  • BYU $16,694
  • Average grant aid
  • BU $61,848
  • BYU $6,088
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BU 49%
  • BYU 51%
  • Graduation rate
  • BU 85%
  • BYU 78%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BU $72,000
  • BYU $69,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • BU 82%
  • BYU 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BU $27,000
  • BYU $11,000
  • Median loan payment
  • BU $279
  • BYU $113
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BU 10:1
  • BYU 21:1
  • Popular majors
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • BYU
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • BU Boston, MA
  • BYU Provo, UT
  • Setting
  • BU Large City
  • BYU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • BU 37,737
  • BYU 35,873
  • Type
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • BYU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BU #73
  • BYU #131

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston University in Boston, MA with Brigham Young University in Provo, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Boston University is larger than BYU based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 35,873 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Brigham Young University is in Provo, UT (Midsize City setting).
  • Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brigham Young University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston University 10:1; Brigham Young University 21:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University are 45.3% lower than at Boston University ($10,396 vs. $19,020).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 918.3% higher at BU than at Brigham Young University (about $61,414 more per year; $68,102 vs. $6,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brigham Young University than at Boston University (51% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 915.9% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University students ($61,848 vs. $6,088).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at BU than at BYU (33 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BU and BYU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; BYU Dec 16, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BYU average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at BU (3.79).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 77.5% at BYU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University graduates have a $16,000 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($11,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, BYU graduates have an estimated $166 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($113 vs. $279).
  • More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BYU students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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