Harvard vs Boston University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Harvard: 3.6% against 12.8% (Boston University).
Average aid for an international student is $81,046 (Harvard) and $56,639 (Boston University).
On both axes at once the winner is Harvard: lower tuition ($64,796 against $71,372) and a higher median salary ($102K against $83K, Boston University).
83 points separate the SAT profiles: 1553 (Harvard) against 1470.
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
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 12.83% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #101-150). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $83K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 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 Harvard 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
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 12.83% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1470).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $83K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 88.7%).
Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $71,372); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $69,396).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | #75 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 12.83% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 35% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | 3.86 |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 76,776 |
| International students | 15.7% | 20.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $83K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $57K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $122K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 88.7% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 94.2% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $23,250 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $71,372 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $69,396 |
| % of need met | 100% | 92% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $36,774 |
| Application fee | $85 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 36,977 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or Boston University?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while Boston University accepts 12.83%.
Do Harvard or Boston University graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs Boston University?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $71,372 per year at Boston University.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Boston University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1470 at Boston University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or Boston University?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #101-150 for Boston University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or Boston University?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $69,396 at Boston University.
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