Boston University vs Cornell - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Cornell admits 8.4% of applicants, while Boston University admits 12.8%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Boston University: 20.1% of students against 10.3% (Cornell).
Real money goes to international students at Cornell ($84,351 on average), while Boston University stops at $56,639.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Cornell: $104K against $83K.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Cornell is the more selective of the two (8.41% vs 12.83% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #12). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $83K). Boston University has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,372 vs $72,270 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Boston University for: lower tuition, a larger aid package.
Choose Cornell for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Cornell is more selective (8.41% vs 12.83% acceptance); Cornell has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1470).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $83K); Cornell has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.4% vs 88.7%).
Boston University has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,372 vs $72,270); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $64,225).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston University | Cornell |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #12 |
| Rank · THE | #75 | #20 |
| Acceptance rate | 12.83% | 8.41% |
| Yield rate | 35% | 63.9% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.86 | - |
| Number of applications | 76,776 | 65,612 |
| International students | 20.1% | 10.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $104K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $67K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $122K | $166K |
| Graduation rate | 88.7% | 95.4% |
| Retention rate | 94.2% | 98.1% |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $71,372 | $72,270 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,396 | $64,225 |
| % of need met | 92% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,774 | $29,441 |
| Application fee | $80 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 36,977 | 26,793 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston University or Cornell?
It's harder to get into Cornell. Boston University accepts 12.83% of applicants, while Cornell accepts 8.41%.
Do Boston University or Cornell graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Boston University vs Cornell?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,372 per year at Boston University and $72,270 per year at Cornell.
What SAT score do you need for Boston University or Cornell?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Boston University and 1540 at Cornell; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Boston University or Cornell?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Boston University vs #12 for Cornell.
Which university offers more financial aid - Boston University or Cornell?
The average aid package is $69,396 at Boston University and $64,225 at Cornell.
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