Boston University vs Penn - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Penn admits 5.4% of applicants, while Boston University admits 12.8%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Boston University: 20.1% of students against 13.3% (Penn).
Real money goes to international students at Penn ($75,356 on average), while Boston University stops at $56,639.
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Penn: $111K against $83K.
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
Penn is the more selective of the two (5.4% vs 12.83% acceptance). Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #14). Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $83K). Penn has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,236 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 Penn 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
Penn is more selective (5.4% vs 12.83% acceptance); Penn has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1470).
Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $83K); Penn has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.5% vs 88.7%).
Penn has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,236 vs $71,372); Penn offers a larger average aid package ($70,971 vs $69,396).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston University | Penn |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #14 |
| Rank · THE | #75 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 12.83% | 5.4% |
| Yield rate | 35% | 68% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.86 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 76,776 | 65,236 |
| International students | 20.1% | 13.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $111K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $70K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $122K | $183K |
| Graduation rate | 88.7% | 96.5% |
| Retention rate | 94.2% | 98.8% |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $15,715 |
| Tuition · year | $71,372 | $71,236 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,396 | $70,971 |
| % of need met | 92% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,774 | $32,558 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 36,977 | 24,023 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston University or Penn?
It's harder to get into Penn. Boston University accepts 12.83% of applicants, while Penn accepts 5.4%.
Do Boston University or Penn graduates earn more?
Penn graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $111K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Boston University vs Penn?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,372 per year at Boston University and $71,236 per year at Penn.
What SAT score do you need for Boston University or Penn?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Boston University and 1553 at Penn; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Boston University or Penn?
Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Boston University vs #14 for Penn.
Which university offers more financial aid - Boston University or Penn?
The average aid package is $69,396 at Boston University and $70,971 at Penn.
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