BU vs. EC

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Elmira College is in Elmira, NY (Small City setting).
• Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston University 10:1; Elmira College 11:1.

BU vs. EC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU or EC? 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 Elmira College than BU ($23,682 vs. $24,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 23.5% lower than at Boston University ($14,550 vs. $19,020).
• Boston University is 74.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $29,126 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.7% higher at BU than at Elmira College (about $29,126 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Boston University (100% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 114.9% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($61,848 vs. $28,780).

BU vs. EC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BU or EC? 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 EC and BU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 240 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming BU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; Elmira College 1090/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; Elmira College 26/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; EC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 12.3% at EC.

BU vs. EC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU and EC? 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 Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $26,000 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elmira College and BU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Elmira College 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 EC students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 72%)

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.