Texas Rio Grande Valley vs Boston University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Boston University admits 12.8% of applications, Texas Rio Grande Valley admits 94.2%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 20.1% (Boston University) against 1.7% (Texas Rio Grande Valley).
Average aid for an international student is $56,639 (Boston University) and $6,258 (Texas Rio Grande Valley).
The tuition gap is $49,085 a year: $22,287 (Texas Rio Grande Valley) against $71,372.
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
Boston University is the more selective of the two (12.83% vs 94.2% acceptance). Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #101-150). Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $50K). Texas Rio Grande Valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,287 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 Rio Grande Valley for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Boston University for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Boston University is more selective (12.83% vs 94.2% acceptance); Boston University has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 985).
Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $50K); Boston University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (88.7% vs 50.9%).
Texas Rio Grande Valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,287 vs $71,372); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $11,242).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Texas Rio Grande Valley | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | #75 |
| Acceptance rate | 94.2% | 12.83% |
| Yield rate | 55.4% | 35% |
| Median SAT | 985 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.86 |
| Number of applications | 12,137 | 76,776 |
| International students | 1.7% | 20.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $83K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $29K | $57K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $122K |
| Graduation rate | 50.9% | 88.7% |
| Retention rate | 78.9% | 94.2% |
| Median debt | $12,950 | $23,250 |
| Tuition · year | $22,287 | $71,372 |
| Avg. aid package | $11,242 | $69,396 |
| % of need met | 72% | 92% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $14,589 | $36,774 |
| Application fee | - | $80 |
| Enrollment | 31,864 | 36,977 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Texas Rio Grande Valley or Boston University?
It's harder to get into Boston University. Texas Rio Grande Valley accepts 94.2% of applicants, while Boston University accepts 12.83%.
Do Texas Rio Grande Valley or Boston University graduates earn more?
Boston University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $83K vs $50K.
How much is tuition at Texas Rio Grande Valley vs Boston University?
Sticker-price tuition is $22,287 per year at Texas Rio Grande Valley and $71,372 per year at Boston University.
What SAT score do you need for Texas Rio Grande Valley or Boston University?
The median admitted SAT score is 985 at Texas Rio Grande Valley and 1470 at Boston University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Texas Rio Grande Valley or Boston University?
Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Texas Rio Grande Valley vs #101-150 for Boston University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Texas Rio Grande Valley or Boston University?
The average aid package is $11,242 at Texas Rio Grande Valley and $69,396 at Boston University.
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