BU vs. Hobart William Smith Colleges

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston University in Boston, MA with Hobart William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boston University is larger than Hobart William Smith Colleges based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 1,841 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Hobart William Smith Colleges is in Geneva, NY (Distant Town setting).
• Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston University 10:1; Hobart William Smith Colleges 11:1.

BU vs. Hobart William Smith Colleges Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU or Hobart William Smith Colleges? 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 Hobart William Smith Colleges ($24,420 vs. $34,170).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hobart William Smith Colleges are 6.6% lower than at Boston University ($17,768 vs. $19,020).
• Boston University is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hobart William Smith Colleges (about $2,985 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $65,117.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at BU than at Hobart William Smith Colleges (about $2,985 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $65,117.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hobart William Smith Colleges than at Boston University (100% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 27.7% larger than aid received by Hobart William Smith Colleges students ($61,848 vs. $48,432).

BU vs. Hobart William Smith Colleges Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BU or Hobart William Smith Colleges? 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 Hobart William Smith Colleges and BU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 190 points higher than at Hobart William Smith Colleges (1290).
• Incoming BU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at Hobart William Smith Colleges).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; Hobart William Smith Colleges 1190/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; Hobart William Smith Colleges 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; Hobart William Smith Colleges - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Hobart William Smith Colleges Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Hobart William Smith Colleges (3.55).
• Hobart William Smith Colleges has a higher acceptance rate (64%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 14.6% at Hobart William Smith Colleges.

BU vs. Hobart William Smith Colleges Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU and Hobart William Smith Colleges? 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 Hobart William Smith Colleges's (75%).
• Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Hobart William Smith Colleges graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $60,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hobart William Smith Colleges and BU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Hobart William Smith Colleges and BU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Hobart William Smith Colleges graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.