BU vs. Gordon College

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than Gordon College based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 1,595 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BU vs. Gordon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU or Gordon College? 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 Gordon College ($24,420 vs. $25,299).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon College are 30.1% lower than at Boston University ($13,300 vs. $19,020).
• Boston University is 121.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon College (about $37,402 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $30,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.8% higher at BU than at Gordon College (about $37,402 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $30,700.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gordon College than at Boston University (100% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 268.1% larger than aid received by Gordon College students ($61,848 vs. $16,802).

BU vs. Gordon College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 240 points higher than at Gordon College (1240).
• Incoming BU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at Gordon College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; Gordon College 1130/1355.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; Gordon College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; Gordon College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Gordon College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Gordon College (3.58).
• Gordon College has a higher acceptance rate (69.2%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 21.6% at Gordon College.

BU vs. Gordon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU and Gordon College? 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 Gordon College's (74%).
• Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $26,700 more per year than Gordon College graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon College and BU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Gordon College and BU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Gordon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.