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Boston University vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Boston University is a private university in Boston, MA. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private institute in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts Institute of Technology admits about 5% of applicants and Boston University about 11%, making Massachusetts Institute of Technology the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $20,111 a year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology after aid, and about $24,402 at Boston University. About 96% of students graduate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, compared with 89% at Boston University. Ten years after enrolling, Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni earn a median of about $143,372, against $83,238 for Boston University.

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Boston University

Boston, MA · Private

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Boston, MA
Cambridge, MA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
18,248
4,535
Acceptance rate
11%
5%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1420–1530
1520–1580
ACT (middle 50%)
32–34
34–36
Test policy
Test optional
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$24,402
$20,111
Full cost / yr
$86,285
$82,730
In-state tuition
$68,102
$62,396
Out-of-state tuition
$68,102
$62,396
Application fee
$80
$75
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,500
$0*
$30k - $48k
$9,342
$93
$48k - $75k
$11,778
$1,480
$75k - $110k
$22,517
$11,555
Over $110k
$47,504
$48,479
Outcomes
Graduation rate
89%
96%
Freshman retention
95%
99%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$65,655
$131,633
Median earnings (10 yr)
$83,238
$143,372
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
$14,768
Student body
Pell grant recipients
19%
19%
First-generation students
17%
26%
International students
21%
12%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 2
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 5
Jan 4

* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.

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.

Frequently asked questions
Is Boston University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology harder to get into?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into. It admits about 5% 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is cheaper on average. Students pay about $20,111 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Before aid, Massachusetts Institute of Technology costs about $82,730 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,533 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Boston University is the larger of the two, with about 18,248 undergraduates against 4,535 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Does Boston University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology have a better graduation rate?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 89% at Boston University.
Do graduates of Boston University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni earn more on average: a median of about $143,372 ten years after enrolling, against about $83,238 for Boston University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Boston University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology require SAT or ACT scores?
Boston University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Massachusetts Institute of Technology requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do Boston University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1420–1530 at Boston University and 1520–1580 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school