Houston vs Boston University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Boston University admits 12.8% of applications, Houston admits 73.9%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 20.1% (Boston University) against 5.7% (Houston).
Average aid for an international student is $56,639 (Boston University) and $4,456 (Houston).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Boston University starts at $94,427 against $45,970 and ends at $25,031 against $29,520 (Houston).
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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 73.92% acceptance). Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #101-150). Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 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 Houston for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
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 73.92% acceptance); Boston University has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1240).
Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $62K); Boston University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (88.7% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $71,372); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Houston | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | #75 |
| Acceptance rate | 73.92% | 12.83% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 35% |
| Median SAT | 1240 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.49 | 3.86 |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 76,776 |
| International students | 5.7% | 20.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $83K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $57K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $122K |
| Graduation rate | 64.6% | 88.7% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 94.2% |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $23,250 |
| Tuition · year | $27,926 | $71,372 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $69,396 |
| % of need met | 55.1% | 92% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,819 | $36,774 |
| Application fee | $75 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 47,980 | 36,977 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Houston or Boston University?
It's harder to get into Boston University. Houston accepts 73.92% of applicants, while Boston University accepts 12.83%.
Do Houston or Boston University graduates earn more?
Boston University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $83K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Houston vs Boston University?
Sticker-price tuition is $27,926 per year at Houston and $71,372 per year at Boston University.
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Boston University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1240 at Houston and 1470 at Boston University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Houston or Boston University?
Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Houston vs #101-150 for Boston University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Houston or Boston University?
The average aid package is $16,450 at Houston and $69,396 at Boston University.
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