Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Boston University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Massachusetts Institute of Technology admits 4.5% of applicants, while Boston University admits 12.8%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 20.1% (Boston University) against 11.7% (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
Average aid for an international student is $77,266 (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and $56,639 (Boston University).
A rare case with no trade-off: Massachusetts Institute of Technology both costs less ($64,730 against $71,372) and delivers a higher median salary after a decade ($143K against $83K, Boston University).
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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the more selective of the two (4.55% vs 12.83% acceptance). Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#3 vs #101-150). Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $83K). Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more selective (4.55% vs 12.83% acceptance); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1470).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $83K); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.4% vs 88.7%).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,730 vs $71,372); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $68,358).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #3 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #2 | #75 |
| Acceptance rate | 4.55% | 12.83% |
| Yield rate | 86.1% | 35% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.86 |
| Number of applications | 28,232 | 76,776 |
| International students | 11.7% | 20.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $143K | $83K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $57K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $243K | $122K |
| Graduation rate | 96.4% | 88.7% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 94.2% |
| Median debt | $14,768 | $23,250 |
| Tuition · year | $64,730 | $71,372 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,358 | $69,396 |
| % of need met | 100% | 92% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,488 | $36,774 |
| Application fee | $75 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 11,886 | 36,977 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Boston University?
It's harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts 4.55% of applicants, while Boston University accepts 12.83%.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Boston University graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Boston University?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,730 per year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and $71,372 per year at Boston University.
What SAT score do you need for Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Boston University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 1470 at Boston University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Boston University?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #3 for Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs #101-150 for Boston University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Boston University?
The average aid package is $68,358 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and $69,396 at Boston University.
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