Trinity College vs. BU

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

Trinity College
Boston University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BU (11.1% admitted vs 29.2%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1380.
  • Cheaper after aid: BU. Average net price is $24,420 vs $36,071 at Trinity College.
  • Graduation: Trinity College 86% vs BU 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Trinity College $71,500 vs BU $72,000 (median).
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Key differences

Trinity College Boston University
Acceptance rate
BU more selective
Trinity College29.2%
BU11.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BU higher
Trinity College1298-1470
BU1420-1530
Average net price
BU $11,651 less
Trinity College$36,071
BU$24,420
In-state tuition
BU $2,668 less
Trinity College$70,770
BU$68,102
Out-of-state tuition
BU $2,668 less
Trinity College$70,770
BU$68,102
Graduation rate
Trinity College +1 pts
Trinity College86%
BU85%
Median earnings (10 years)
BU +$500
Trinity College$71,500
BU$72,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Trinity College 7,460
  • BU 78,769
  • Admitted
  • Trinity College 2,182
  • BU 8,749
  • Acceptance rate
  • Trinity College 29.2%
  • BU 11.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Trinity College 24.8%
  • BU 37.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Trinity College 1380
  • BU 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Trinity College 32
  • BU 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Trinity College 3.8
  • BU 3.79
  • Typical high school grades
  • Trinity College A-
  • BU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Trinity College Exceptional
  • BU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Trinity College High
  • BU Very High
  • SAT range
  • Trinity College 1298-1470
  • BU 1420-1530
  • ACT range
  • Trinity College 30-34
  • BU 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Trinity College Test optional
  • BU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Trinity College Jan 17, 2027
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Trinity College $70,770
  • BU $68,102
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Trinity College $70,770
  • BU $68,102
  • Room & board
  • Trinity College $18,890
  • BU $19,020
  • Average net price
  • Trinity College $36,071
  • BU $24,420
  • Average grant aid
  • Trinity College $51,754
  • BU $61,848
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Trinity College 73%
  • BU 49%
  • Graduation rate
  • Trinity College 86%
  • BU 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Trinity College $71,500
  • BU $72,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Trinity College 81%
  • BU 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Trinity College $21,000
  • BU $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Trinity College $217
  • BU $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Trinity College 9:1
  • BU 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Trinity College
    • Social Sciences (31%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • History (7%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Location
  • Trinity College Hartford, CT
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Trinity College Midsize City
  • BU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Trinity College 2,238
  • BU 37,737
  • Type
  • Trinity College Private 4 Year
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Trinity College #47
  • BU #73

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity College in Hartford, CT with Boston University in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Boston University is larger than Trinity College based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 2,238 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trinity College are 0.7% lower than at Boston University ($18,890 vs. $19,020).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Trinity College than at Boston University (about $2,668 more per year; $70,770 vs. $68,102).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity College than at Boston University (73% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 19.5% larger than aid received by Trinity College students ($61,848 vs. $51,754).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at BU than at Trinity College (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Trinity College and BU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Trinity College Jan 17, 2027; BU Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Trinity College average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at BU (3.79).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.8% at Trinity College vs. 37.4% at BU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Trinity College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Trinity College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($217 vs. $279).
  • More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trinity College students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 81%).

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

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