Texas at Austin vs Boston University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Boston University admits 12.8%, Texas at Austin admits 26.6%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 20.1% (Boston University) against 4.5% (Texas at Austin).
Real money goes to international students at Boston University ($56,639 on average), while Texas at Austin stops at $21,838.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Boston University starts at $94,427 against $60,460 and ends at $25,031 against $40,241 (Texas at Austin).
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
Boston University is the more selective of the two (12.83% vs 26.64% acceptance). Texas at Austin ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#45 vs #101-150). Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $75K). Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 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 Texas at Austin for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
Choose Boston University for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Boston University is more selective (12.83% vs 26.64% acceptance); Boston University has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1395).
Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $75K); Texas at Austin has a higher 6-year graduation rate (88.9% vs 88.7%).
Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 vs $71,372); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $20,219).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Texas at Austin | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #45 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | #75 |
| Acceptance rate | 26.64% | 12.83% |
| Yield rate | 47.4% | 35% |
| Median SAT | 1395 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.86 |
| Number of applications | 72,885 | 76,776 |
| International students | 4.5% | 20.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $75K | $83K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $51K | $57K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $122K |
| Graduation rate | 88.9% | 88.7% |
| Retention rate | 96.7% | 94.2% |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $23,250 |
| Tuition · year | $44,908 | $71,372 |
| Avg. aid package | $20,219 | $69,396 |
| % of need met | 75% | 92% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $19,919 | $36,774 |
| Application fee | $75 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 53,864 | 36,977 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Texas at Austin or Boston University?
It's harder to get into Boston University. Texas at Austin accepts 26.64% of applicants, while Boston University accepts 12.83%.
Do Texas at Austin or Boston University graduates earn more?
Boston University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $83K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Texas at Austin vs Boston University?
Sticker-price tuition is $44,908 per year at Texas at Austin and $71,372 per year at Boston University.
What SAT score do you need for Texas at Austin or Boston University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1395 at Texas at Austin and 1470 at Boston University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Texas at Austin or Boston University?
Texas at Austin ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #45 for Texas at Austin vs #101-150 for Boston University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Texas at Austin or Boston University?
The average aid package is $20,219 at Texas at Austin and $69,396 at Boston University.
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