Yale 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: Yale admits 4.7%, Boston University admits 12.8%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Boston University: 20.1% of students against 10.6% (Yale).
Real money goes to international students at Yale ($84,185 on average), while Boston University stops at $56,639.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Yale: $101K against $83K.
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
Yale is the more selective of the two (4.7% vs 12.83% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#11 vs #101-150). Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $83K). Boston University has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,372 vs $72,500 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 Yale for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Boston University for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Yale is more selective (4.7% vs 12.83% acceptance); Yale has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1470).
Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $83K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 88.7%).
Boston University has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,372 vs $72,500); Yale offers a larger average aid package ($74,353 vs $69,396).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Yale | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #11 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #10 | #75 |
| Acceptance rate | 4.7% | 12.83% |
| Yield rate | 68.4% | 35% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.86 |
| Number of applications | 50,264 | 76,776 |
| International students | 10.6% | 20.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $83K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $57K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $194K | $122K |
| Graduation rate | 95.7% | 88.7% |
| Retention rate | 99.4% | 94.2% |
| Median debt | $12,975 | $23,250 |
| Tuition · year | $72,500 | $71,372 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,353 | $69,396 |
| % of need met | 100% | 92% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,185 | $36,774 |
| Application fee | $80 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 15,657 | 36,977 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Yale or Boston University?
It's harder to get into Yale. Yale accepts 4.7% of applicants, while Boston University accepts 12.83%.
Do Yale or Boston University graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Yale vs Boston University?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,500 per year at Yale and $71,372 per year at Boston University.
What SAT score do you need for Yale or Boston University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Yale and 1470 at Boston University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Yale or Boston University?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #11 for Yale vs #101-150 for Boston University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Yale or Boston University?
The average aid package is $74,353 at Yale and $69,396 at Boston University.
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