Boston University vs Harvard University
Boston University is a private university in Boston, MA. Harvard University is a private university in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants and Boston University about 11%, making Harvard University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $19,066 a year at Harvard University after aid, and about $24,402 at Boston University. About 97% of students graduate at Harvard University, compared with 89% at Boston University. Ten years after enrolling, Harvard University alumni earn a median of about $101,817, against $83,238 for Boston University.
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Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Boston University or Harvard University harder to get into?
- Harvard University is harder to get into. It admits about 4% of applicants, compared with 11% at Boston University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Boston University or Harvard University?
- Harvard University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $19,066 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $24,402 at Boston University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Boston University and Harvard University?
- Before aid, Harvard University costs about $85,540 a year and Boston University about $86,285. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Boston University or Harvard University?
- Harvard University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,697 there, against about $9,500 at Boston University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Boston University or Harvard University?
- Boston University is the larger of the two, with about 18,248 undergraduates against 7,601 at Harvard University.
- Does Boston University or Harvard University have a better graduation rate?
- Harvard University has the higher graduation rate, at about 97% against 89% at Boston University.
- Do graduates of Boston University or Harvard University earn more?
- Harvard University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $101,817 ten years after enrolling, against about $83,238 for Boston University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Boston University and Harvard University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Boston University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Harvard University requires SAT or ACT scores.
- What SAT scores do Boston University and Harvard University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1420–1530 at Boston University and 1510–1580 at Harvard University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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