Johns Hopkins vs Boston University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Johns Hopkins: 6.4% against 12.8% (Boston University).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Boston University awards international students $56,639 on average, Johns Hopkins awards $16,051.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Johns Hopkins: a midpoint of 1540 against 1470, a difference of 70 points.
Students admitted to both more often choose Johns Hopkins (47% enrol, against 35%).
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
Johns Hopkins is the more selective of the two (6.44% vs 12.83% acceptance). Johns Hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#17 vs #101-150). Johns Hopkins graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($88K vs $83K). Johns Hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,170 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 Johns Hopkins for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Boston University for: a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Johns Hopkins is more selective (6.44% vs 12.83% acceptance); Johns Hopkins has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1470).
Johns Hopkins graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($88K vs $83K); Johns Hopkins has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.8% vs 88.7%).
Johns Hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,170 vs $71,372); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $67,159).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Johns Hopkins | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #17 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #16 | #75 |
| Acceptance rate | 6.44% | 12.83% |
| Yield rate | 47% | 35% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.93 | 3.86 |
| Number of applications | 45,895 | 76,776 |
| International students | 15.2% | 20.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $83K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $57K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $122K |
| Graduation rate | 93.8% | 88.7% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 94.2% |
| Median debt | $10,250 | $23,250 |
| Tuition · year | $67,170 | $71,372 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,159 | $69,396 |
| % of need met | 99.5% | 92% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,803 | $36,774 |
| Application fee | $70 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 30,210 | 36,977 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Johns Hopkins or Boston University?
It's harder to get into Johns Hopkins. Johns Hopkins accepts 6.44% of applicants, while Boston University accepts 12.83%.
Do Johns Hopkins or Boston University graduates earn more?
Johns Hopkins graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $88K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Johns Hopkins vs Boston University?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,170 per year at Johns Hopkins and $71,372 per year at Boston University.
What SAT score do you need for Johns Hopkins or Boston University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Johns Hopkins and 1470 at Boston University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Johns Hopkins or Boston University?
Johns Hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #17 for Johns Hopkins vs #101-150 for Boston University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Johns Hopkins or Boston University?
The average aid package is $67,159 at Johns Hopkins and $69,396 at Boston University.
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