Georgia vs Boston University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Boston University admits 12.8%, Georgia admits 37.9%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Boston University: 20.1% of students against 1.1% (Georgia).
If you are applying from outside the US, budget without institutional support where there is none: only Boston University reports aid for international students ($56,639 on average), Georgia does not.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Boston University starts at $94,427 against $49,100 and ends at $25,031 against $33,752 (Georgia).
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
Boston University is the more selective of the two (12.83% vs 37.92% acceptance). Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#401-500 vs #101-150). Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $69K). Georgia has lower sticker-price tuition ($31,678 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 Georgia for: a higher graduation rate, higher retention, lower tuition.
Choose Boston University 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
Boston University is more selective (12.83% vs 37.92% acceptance); Boston University has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1300).
Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $69K); Georgia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (89.7% vs 88.7%).
Georgia has lower sticker-price tuition ($31,678 vs $71,372); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $15,348).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Georgia | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #401-500 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | #75 |
| Acceptance rate | 37.92% | 12.83% |
| Yield rate | 38.3% | 35% |
| Median SAT | 1300 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.15 | 3.86 |
| Number of applications | 42,436 | 76,776 |
| International students | 1.1% | 20.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $69K | $83K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $57K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $122K |
| Graduation rate | 89.7% | 88.7% |
| Retention rate | 94.3% | 94.2% |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $23,250 |
| Tuition · year | $31,678 | $71,372 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,348 | $69,396 |
| % of need met | 73.2% | 92% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $20,890 | $36,774 |
| Application fee | $70 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 43,146 | 36,977 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Georgia or Boston University?
It's harder to get into Boston University. Georgia accepts 37.92% of applicants, while Boston University accepts 12.83%.
Do Georgia or Boston University graduates earn more?
Boston University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $83K vs $69K.
How much is tuition at Georgia vs Boston University?
Sticker-price tuition is $31,678 per year at Georgia and $71,372 per year at Boston University.
What SAT score do you need for Georgia or Boston University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1300 at Georgia and 1470 at Boston University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Georgia or Boston University?
Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #401-500 for Georgia vs #101-150 for Boston University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Georgia or Boston University?
The average aid package is $15,348 at Georgia and $69,396 at Boston University.
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