BU vs. UMass Dartmouth

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston University in Boston, MA with University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in North Dartmouth, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boston University is larger than UMass Dartmouth based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 7,968 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is in North Dartmouth, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston University 10:1; University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 16:1.

BU vs. UMass Dartmouth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU or UMass Dartmouth? 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 University of Massachusetts Dartmouth than BU ($21,094 vs. $24,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth are 2.4% lower than at Boston University ($18,566 vs. $19,020).
• Boston University is 336.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass Dartmouth (about $52,490 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $15,612.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.1% higher at BU than at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (about $35,535 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $32,567.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth than at Boston University (96% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 430.5% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Dartmouth students ($61,848 vs. $11,658).

BU vs. UMass Dartmouth Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BU or UMass Dartmouth? 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 UMass Dartmouth and BU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 320 points higher than at UMass Dartmouth (1160).
• Incoming BU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at UMass Dartmouth).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; UMass Dartmouth - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at UMass Dartmouth (3.37).
• UMass Dartmouth has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 13.5% at UMass Dartmouth.

BU vs. UMass Dartmouth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU and UMass Dartmouth? 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).

• Boston University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's (48%).
• Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $23,000 more per year than UMass Dartmouth graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates have a $1,240 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($25,760 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass Dartmouth graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass Dartmouth students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 67%)

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.