BU vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than U of R based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 11,946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); University of Rochester is in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston University 10:1; University of Rochester 9:1.

BU vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU or U of R? 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 U of R ($24,420 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston University are 3.9% lower than at University of Rochester ($19,020 vs. $19,792).
• Boston University is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of R (about $1,022 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at BU than at University of Rochester (about $1,022 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Boston University (72% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 35.9% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($61,848 vs. $45,500).

BU vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BU or U of R? 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 U of R and BU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is the same as at U of R (1480).
• Incoming BU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at U of R).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; University of Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 15.4% at U of R.

BU vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU and U of R? 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 Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rochester graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($24,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, U of R graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($253 vs. $279).
• More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 79%)

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.