Boston University vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accepts most of the applications it receives (63.5%), while Boston University turns away the overwhelming majority (12.8%).
The more international environment is at Boston University (20.1% international students) than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2.2%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Boston University awards international students $56,639 on average, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute awards $48,307.
Ten years on, graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn noticeably more: $102K 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
Boston University is the more selective of the two (12.83% vs 63.5% acceptance). Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #501-600). Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $83K). Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,976 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, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for: higher graduate earnings, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Boston University is more selective (12.83% vs 63.5% acceptance); Boston University has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1456).
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $83K); Boston University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (88.7% vs 83.6%).
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,976 vs $71,372); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $50,402).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston University | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #75 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 12.83% | 63.5% |
| Yield rate | 35% | 14.4% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1456 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.86 | 3.93 |
| Number of applications | 76,776 | 14,356 |
| International students | 20.1% | 2.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $102K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $71K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $122K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 88.7% | 83.6% |
| Retention rate | 94.2% | 91% |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $23,750 |
| Tuition · year | $71,372 | $67,976 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,396 | $50,402 |
| % of need met | 92% | 66.2% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,774 | $39,539 |
| Application fee | $80 | $70 |
| Enrollment | 36,977 | 7,042 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
It's harder to get into Boston University. Boston University accepts 12.83% of applicants, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accepts 63.5%.
Do Boston University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Boston University vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,372 per year at Boston University and $67,976 per year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
What SAT score do you need for Boston University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Boston University and 1456 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Boston University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Boston University vs #501-600 for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Which university offers more financial aid - Boston University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The average aid package is $69,396 at Boston University and $50,402 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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