Boston University vs Johns Hopkins - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Johns Hopkins: 6.4% against 12.8% (Boston University).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Boston University awards international students $56,639 on average, Johns Hopkins awards $16,051.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Johns Hopkins: a midpoint of 1540 against 1470, a difference of 70 points.
Students admitted to both more often choose Johns Hopkins (47% enrol, against 35%).
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
Johns Hopkins is the more selective of the two (6.44% vs 12.83% acceptance). Johns Hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #17). Johns Hopkins graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($88K vs $83K). Johns Hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,170 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 larger aid package.
Choose Johns Hopkins 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
Johns Hopkins is more selective (6.44% vs 12.83% acceptance); Johns Hopkins has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1470).
Johns Hopkins graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($88K vs $83K); Johns Hopkins has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.8% vs 88.7%).
Johns Hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,170 vs $71,372); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $67,159).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston University | Johns Hopkins |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #17 |
| Rank · THE | #75 | #16 |
| Acceptance rate | 12.83% | 6.44% |
| Yield rate | 35% | 47% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.86 | 3.93 |
| Number of applications | 76,776 | 45,895 |
| International students | 20.1% | 15.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $88K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $122K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 88.7% | 93.8% |
| Retention rate | 94.2% | 98.1% |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $10,250 |
| Tuition · year | $71,372 | $67,170 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,396 | $67,159 |
| % of need met | 92% | 99.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,774 | $30,803 |
| Application fee | $80 | $70 |
| Enrollment | 36,977 | 30,210 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston University or Johns Hopkins?
It's harder to get into Johns Hopkins. Boston University accepts 12.83% of applicants, while Johns Hopkins accepts 6.44%.
Do Boston University or Johns Hopkins graduates earn more?
Johns Hopkins graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $88K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Boston University vs Johns Hopkins?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,372 per year at Boston University and $67,170 per year at Johns Hopkins.
What SAT score do you need for Boston University or Johns Hopkins?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Boston University and 1540 at Johns Hopkins; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Boston University or Johns Hopkins?
Johns Hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Boston University vs #17 for Johns Hopkins.
Which university offers more financial aid - Boston University or Johns Hopkins?
The average aid package is $69,396 at Boston University and $67,159 at Johns Hopkins.
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