Boston University vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Massachusetts Institute of Technology admits 4.5% of applicants, while Boston University admits 12.8%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 20.1% (Boston University) against 11.7% (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
Average aid for an international student is $77,266 (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and $56,639 (Boston University).
A rare case with no trade-off: Massachusetts Institute of Technology both costs less ($64,730 against $71,372) and delivers a higher median salary after a decade ($143K against $83K, Boston University).
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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the more selective of the two (4.55% vs 12.83% acceptance). Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #3). Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $83K). Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more selective (4.55% vs 12.83% acceptance); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1470).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $83K); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.4% vs 88.7%).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 vs $71,372); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $68,358).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #3 |
| Rank · THE | #75 | #2 |
| Acceptance rate | 12.83% | 4.55% |
| Yield rate | 35% | 86.1% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.86 | - |
| Number of applications | 76,776 | 28,232 |
| International students | 20.1% | 11.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $143K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $88K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $122K | $243K |
| Graduation rate | 88.7% | 96.4% |
| Retention rate | 94.2% | 99% |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $14,768 |
| Tuition · year | $71,372 | $64,730 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,396 | $68,358 |
| % of need met | 92% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,774 | $29,488 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 36,977 | 11,886 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
It's harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Boston University accepts 12.83% of applicants, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts 4.55%.
Do Boston University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Boston University vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,372 per year at Boston University and $64,730 per year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
What SAT score do you need for Boston University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Boston University and 1550 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Boston University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Boston University vs #3 for Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Which university offers more financial aid - Boston University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The average aid package is $69,396 at Boston University and $68,358 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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