BU vs. Haverford College

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston University in Boston, MA with Haverford College in Haverford, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boston University is larger than Haverford College based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 1,431 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Haverford College is in Haverford, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Haverford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston University 10:1; Haverford College 8:1.

BU vs. Haverford College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU or Haverford College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Boston University than Haverford College ($24,420 vs. $26,535).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston University are 2.7% lower than at Haverford College ($19,020 vs. $19,548).
• Haverford College is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than BU (about $2,586 more per year; $70,688.00 vs. $68,102.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Haverford College than at Boston University (about $2,586 more per year; $70,688.00 vs. $68,102.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Boston University than at Haverford College (49% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Haverford College students is 3.1% larger than aid received by Boston University students ($63,742 vs. $61,848).

BU vs. Haverford College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BU or Haverford College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Haverford College and BU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Haverford College (1510) is 30 points higher than at BU (1480).
• Incoming Haverford College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at BU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; Haverford College 1460/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; Haverford College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; Haverford College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Haverford College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Haverford College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at BU (3.79).
• Haverford College has a higher acceptance rate (12.4%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 42.6% at Haverford College.

BU vs. Haverford College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU and Haverford College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Haverford College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Boston University's (85%).
• Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Haverford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $68,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Haverford College graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($13,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Haverford College graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($134 vs. $279).
• More Haverford College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.