BU vs. Lesley University

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

Boston University
Lesley University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BU (11.1% admitted vs 96.9%). Typical SAT 1480 vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: BU. Average net price is $24,420 vs $32,587 at Lesley University.
  • Graduation: BU 85% vs Lesley University 49%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BU $72,000 vs Lesley University $38,600 (median).
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Key differences

Boston University Lesley University
Acceptance rate
BU more selective
BU11.1%
Lesley University96.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BU higher
BU1420-1530
Lesley University-
Average net price
BU $8,167 less
BU$24,420
Lesley University$32,587
In-state tuition
Lesley University $33,846 less
BU$68,102
Lesley University$34,256
Out-of-state tuition
Lesley University $33,846 less
BU$68,102
Lesley University$34,256
Graduation rate
BU +36 pts
BU85%
Lesley University49%
Median earnings (10 years)
BU +$33,400
BU$72,000
Lesley University$38,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BU 78,769
  • Lesley University 2,526
  • Admitted
  • BU 8,749
  • Lesley University 2,447
  • Acceptance rate
  • BU 11.1%
  • Lesley University 96.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BU 37.4%
  • Lesley University 7.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BU 1480
  • Lesley University
  • Typical ACT score
  • BU 33
  • Lesley University
  • Average high school GPA
  • BU 3.79
  • Lesley University 3.31
  • Typical high school grades
  • BU A-
  • Lesley University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • BU Exceptional
  • Lesley University Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • BU Very High
  • Lesley University
  • SAT range
  • BU 1420-1530
  • Lesley University
  • ACT range
  • BU 32-34
  • Lesley University
  • Submit test scores
  • BU Test optional
  • Lesley University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Lesley University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • Room & board
  • BU $19,020
  • Lesley University $19,920
  • Average net price
  • BU $24,420
  • Lesley University $32,587
  • Average grant aid
  • BU $61,848
  • Lesley University $19,167
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BU 49%
  • Lesley University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • BU 85%
  • Lesley University 49%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BU $72,000
  • Lesley University $38,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • BU 82%
  • Lesley University 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BU $27,000
  • Lesley University $24,320
  • Median loan payment
  • BU $279
  • Lesley University $251
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BU 10:1
  • Lesley University 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Lesley University
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (20%)
    • Psychology (20%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (6%)
  • Location
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Lesley University Cambridge, MA
  • Setting
  • BU Large City
  • Lesley University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • BU 37,737
  • Lesley University 2,557
  • Type
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • Lesley University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BU #73
  • Lesley University

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston University in Boston, MA with Lesley University in Cambridge, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Boston University is larger than Lesley University based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 2,557 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston University are 4.5% lower than at Lesley University ($19,020 vs. $19,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 98.8% higher at BU than at Lesley University (about $33,846 more per year; $68,102 vs. $34,256).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at Boston University (100% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 222.7% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($61,848 vs. $19,167).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at BU, test-free at Lesley University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BU average a 3.79 high school GPA, 0.48 higher than at Lesley University (3.31).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 7.9% at Lesley University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $2,680 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($24,320 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($251 vs. $279).
  • More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 63%).

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

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