Notre dame 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 11.3% acceptance). Boston university ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #101-150). Notre dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $83K). Notre dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,025 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 Notre dame for: higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
Choose Boston university for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Boston university is more selective (11.1% vs 11.3% acceptance); Notre dame has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1480).
Notre dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $83K); Notre dame has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95% vs 88.7%).
Notre dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,025 vs $68,102); Boston university offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $67,855).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Notre dame | Boston university |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | — | #75 |
| Acceptance rate | 11.3% | 11.1% |
| Yield rate | 61.7% | 35% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1480 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 29,942 | 76,776 |
| International students | 13% | 32% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $100K | $83K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $76K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $122K |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 88.7% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 94.2% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $23,250 |
| Tuition · year | $65,025 | $68,102 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,855 | $69,396 |
| % of need met | 100% | 92% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,400 | $36,774 |
| Application fee | $85 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 13,042 | 36,977 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Notre dame or Boston university?
It's harder to get into Boston university. Notre dame accepts 11.3% of applicants, while Boston university accepts 11.1%.
Do Notre dame or Boston university graduates earn more?
Notre dame graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $100K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Notre dame vs Boston university?
Sticker-price tuition is $65,025 per year at Notre dame and $68,102 per year at Boston university.
What SAT score do you need for Notre dame or Boston university?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Notre dame and 1480 at Boston university; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Notre dame or Boston university?
Boston university ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Notre dame vs #101-150 for Boston university.
Which university offers more financial aid — Notre dame or Boston university?
The average aid package is $67,855 at Notre dame and $69,396 at Boston university.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern