Illinois urbana-champaign vs Boston university — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Boston university is the more selective of the two (11.1% vs 42.4% acceptance). Illinois urbana-champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#55 vs #101-150). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($81K vs $83K). Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $68,102 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 Illinois urbana-champaign for: a higher world ranking, higher retention, lower tuition.
Choose Boston university for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Boston university is more selective (11.1% vs 42.4% acceptance); Boston university has a higher median SAT (1480 vs 1440).
Boston university graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $81K); Boston university has a higher 6-year graduation rate (88.7% vs 85.1%).
Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $68,102); Boston university offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $23,217).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Illinois urbana-champaign | Boston university |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #55 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #46 | #75 |
| Acceptance rate | 42.4% | 11.1% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 35% |
| Median SAT | 1440 | 1480 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 73,742 | 76,776 |
| International students | 25% | 32% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $81K | $83K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $71K | $76K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $122K |
| Graduation rate | 85.1% | 88.7% |
| Retention rate | 94.8% | 94.2% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $23,250 |
| Tuition · year | $35,124 | $68,102 |
| Avg. aid package | $23,217 | $69,396 |
| % of need met | 0.8% | 92% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,395 | $36,774 |
| Application fee | $50 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 59,238 | 36,977 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Illinois urbana-champaign or Boston university?
It's harder to get into Boston university. Illinois urbana-champaign accepts 42.4% of applicants, while Boston university accepts 11.1%.
Do Illinois urbana-champaign or Boston university graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal — 10 years after enrollment, the median is $81K at Illinois urbana-champaign and $83K at Boston university.
How much is tuition at Illinois urbana-champaign vs Boston university?
Sticker-price tuition is $35,124 per year at Illinois urbana-champaign and $68,102 per year at Boston university.
What SAT score do you need for Illinois urbana-champaign or Boston university?
The median admitted SAT score is 1440 at Illinois urbana-champaign and 1480 at Boston university; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Illinois urbana-champaign or Boston university?
Illinois urbana-champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #55 for Illinois urbana-champaign vs #101-150 for Boston university.
Which university offers more financial aid — Illinois urbana-champaign or Boston university?
The average aid package is $23,217 at Illinois urbana-champaign and $69,396 at Boston university.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern