Boston University vs Iowa State - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Boston University admits 12.8% of applications, Iowa State admits 88.7%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Boston University: 20.1% of students against 3.7% (Iowa State).
Average aid for an international student is $56,639 (Boston University) and $12,582 (Iowa State).
The tuition gap is $42,491 a year: $28,881 (Iowa State) against $71,372.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Boston University is the more selective of the two (12.83% vs 88.66% acceptance). Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #501-600). Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $63K). Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $71,372 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: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Iowa State for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Boston University is more selective (12.83% vs 88.66% acceptance); Boston University has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1250).
Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $63K); Boston University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (88.7% vs 75.3%).
Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $71,372); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston University | Iowa State |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #75 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 12.83% | 88.66% |
| Yield rate | 35% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.86 | 3.75 |
| Number of applications | 76,776 | 23,095 |
| International students | 20.1% | 3.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $63K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $44K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $122K | $90K |
| Graduation rate | 88.7% | 75.3% |
| Retention rate | 94.2% | 87.6% |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $22,869 |
| Tuition · year | $71,372 | $28,881 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,396 | $15,665 |
| % of need met | 92% | 78% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,774 | $29,475 |
| Application fee | $80 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 36,977 | 30,432 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston University or Iowa State?
It's harder to get into Boston University. Boston University accepts 12.83% of applicants, while Iowa State accepts 88.66%.
Do Boston University or Iowa State graduates earn more?
Boston University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $83K vs $63K.
How much is tuition at Boston University vs Iowa State?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,372 per year at Boston University and $28,881 per year at Iowa State.
What SAT score do you need for Boston University or Iowa State?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Boston University and 1250 at Iowa State; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Boston University or Iowa State?
Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Boston University vs #501-600 for Iowa State.
Which university offers more financial aid - Boston University or Iowa State?
The average aid package is $69,396 at Boston University and $15,665 at Iowa State.
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