BU vs. Clark University

Deciding between Boston University and Clark University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Boston University
Clark University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Clark University Worcester, MA
  • Setting
  • BU Large City
  • Clark University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • BU 37,737
  • Clark University 3,925
  • Type
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • Clark University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • BU #73
  • Clark University #148
  • Religious Affiliation
  • BU -
  • Clark University -
  • Status
  • BU Non-profit
  • Clark University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • BU
  • Clark University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • BU $68,102
  • Clark University $58,867
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • BU $68,102
  • Clark University $58,867
  • Room & Board
  • BU $19,020
  • Clark University $12,500
  • Average Net Price
  • BU $24,420
  • Clark University $33,865
  • Average Grant Aid
  • BU $61,848
  • Clark University $34,667
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • BU 49%
  • Clark University 99%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • BU 78,769
  • Clark University 11,452
  • Admitted
  • BU 8,749
  • Clark University 4,528
  • Acceptance Rate
  • BU 11.1%
  • Clark University 39.5%
  • Enrolled
  • BU 37.4%
  • Clark University 10.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BU 1480
  • Clark University 1370
  • Typical ACT score
  • BU 33
  • Clark University 31
  • Average High School GPA
  • BU 3.79
  • Clark University 3.69
  • Typical High School Grades
  • BU A-
  • Clark University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • BU Exceptional
  • Clark University Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • BU Very High
  • Clark University Low
  • ACT Range
  • BU 32/34
  • Clark University 30/33
  • SAT Range
  • BU 1420/1530
  • Clark University 1288/1460
  • Submit Test Scores
  • BU Test optional
  • Clark University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Clark University Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • BU 10:1
  • Clark University 8:1
  • Popular Majors
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Clark University
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Psychology (17%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Communication (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • BU 85%
  • Clark University 80%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • BU $72,000
  • Clark University $50,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • BU 82%
  • Clark University 82%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • BU $27,000
  • Clark University $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • BU $279
  • Clark University $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • BU 42%
  • Clark University 48%
  • % Women
  • BU 58%
  • Clark University 52%
  • Racial Diversity
  • BU Very High
  • Clark University High
  • HBCU
  • BU No
  • Clark University No
  • % White
  • BU 43%
  • Clark University 57%
  • % Asian
  • BU 14%
  • Clark University 7%
  • % Black
  • BU 4%
  • Clark University 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • BU 11%
  • Clark University 7%
  • % Native American
  • BU 0%
  • Clark University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • BU 0%
  • Clark University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • BU 4%
  • Clark University 2%
  • % International
  • BU 20%
  • Clark University 15%
  • % Unknown Race
  • BU 5%
  • Clark University 8%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • BU 15%
  • Clark University 33%
  • % Out-of-State
  • BU 62%
  • Clark University 59%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • BU Yes
  • Clark University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • BU No
  • Clark University No
  • Meal Plan
  • BU Yes
  • Clark University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • BU Yes
  • Clark University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • BU No
  • Clark University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston University in Boston, MA with Clark University in Worcester, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boston University is larger than Clark University based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 3,925 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Clark University is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clark University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston University 10:1; Clark University 8:1.

BU vs. Clark University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU or Clark University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Boston University than Clark University ($24,420 vs. $33,865).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark University are 34.3% lower than at Boston University ($12,500 vs. $19,020).
  • Boston University is 15.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clark University (about $9,235 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $58,867.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15.7% higher at BU than at Clark University (about $9,235 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $58,867.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clark University than at Boston University (99% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 78.4% larger than aid received by Clark University students ($61,848 vs. $34,667).

BU vs. Clark University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BU or Clark University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Clark University and BU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 110 points higher than at Clark University (1370).
  • Incoming BU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Clark University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; Clark University 1288/1460.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; Clark University 30/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; Clark University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Clark University Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Clark University (3.69).
  • Clark University has a higher acceptance rate (39.5%) than BU (11.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 10.7% at Clark University.

BU vs. Clark University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU and Clark University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Boston University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Clark University's (80%).
  • Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $21,900 more per year than Clark University graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $50,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Clark University and BU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Clark University and BU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clark University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.