Emory vs Boston University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The data does not settle this one; the gaps on the axes that matter are too small to build anything on.
The higher mid-range SAT belongs to Emory: 1510 against 1470, a gap of 40 points.
More than twice the application volume goes to Boston University (76,776 against 34,614), which changes how any single file is read.
Graduates leave with less debt from Emory: $24,562 against $36,774, or $12,212 less.
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
Emory is the more selective of the two (10.29% vs 12.83% acceptance). Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $80K). Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,056 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 Emory for: higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
Choose Boston University for: higher graduate earnings, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Emory is more selective (10.29% vs 12.83% acceptance); Emory has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1470).
Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $80K); Emory has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.1% vs 88.7%).
Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,056 vs $71,372); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $67,329).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Emory | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | #75 |
| Acceptance rate | 10.29% | 12.83% |
| Yield rate | 40.4% | 35% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.84 | 3.86 |
| Number of applications | 34,614 | 76,776 |
| International students | 16.7% | 20.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $83K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $58K | $57K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $120K | $122K |
| Graduation rate | 91.1% | 88.7% |
| Retention rate | 96% | 94.2% |
| Median debt | $18,250 | $23,250 |
| Tuition · year | $68,056 | $71,372 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,329 | $69,396 |
| % of need met | 99.9% | 92% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,562 | $36,774 |
| Application fee | $75 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 15,179 | 36,977 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Emory or Boston University?
It's harder to get into Emory. Emory accepts 10.29% of applicants, while Boston University accepts 12.83%.
Do Emory or Boston University graduates earn more?
Boston University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $83K vs $80K.
How much is tuition at Emory vs Boston University?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,056 per year at Emory and $71,372 per year at Boston University.
What SAT score do you need for Emory or Boston University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Emory and 1470 at Boston University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university offers more financial aid - Emory or Boston University?
The average aid package is $67,329 at Emory and $69,396 at Boston University.
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