BU vs. Lesley University

Deciding between Boston University and Lesley 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
Lesley University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Lesley University Cambridge, MA
  • Setting
  • BU Large City
  • Lesley University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • BU 37,737
  • Lesley University 2,557
  • Type
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • Lesley University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • BU #73
  • Lesley University
  • Religious Affiliation
  • BU -
  • Lesley University -
  • Status
  • BU Non-profit
  • Lesley University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • BU
  • Lesley University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • BU $68,102
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • BU $68,102
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • Room & Board
  • BU $19,020
  • Lesley University $19,920
  • Average Net Price
  • BU $24,420
  • Lesley University $32,587
  • Average Grant Aid
  • BU $61,848
  • Lesley University $19,167
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • BU 49%
  • Lesley University 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • BU 78,769
  • Lesley University 2,526
  • Admitted
  • BU 8,749
  • Lesley University 2,447
  • Acceptance Rate
  • BU 11.1%
  • Lesley University 96.9%
  • Enrolled
  • BU 37.4%
  • Lesley University 7.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BU 1480
  • Lesley University
  • Typical ACT score
  • BU 33
  • Lesley University
  • Average High School GPA
  • BU 3.79
  • Lesley University 3.31
  • Typical High School Grades
  • BU A-
  • Lesley University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • BU Exceptional
  • Lesley University Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • BU Very High
  • Lesley University
  • ACT Range
  • BU 32/34
  • Lesley University
  • SAT Range
  • BU 1420/1530
  • Lesley University
  • Submit Test Scores
  • BU Test optional
  • Lesley University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Lesley University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • BU 10:1
  • Lesley University 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Lesley University
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (20%)
    • Psychology (20%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • BU 85%
  • Lesley University 49%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • BU $72,000
  • Lesley University $38,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • BU 82%
  • Lesley University 63%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • BU $27,000
  • Lesley University $24,320
  • Median Loan Payment
  • BU $279
  • Lesley University $251

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • BU 42%
  • Lesley University 23%
  • % Women
  • BU 58%
  • Lesley University 77%
  • Racial Diversity
  • BU Very High
  • Lesley University Medium
  • HBCU
  • BU No
  • Lesley University No
  • % White
  • BU 43%
  • Lesley University 67%
  • % Asian
  • BU 14%
  • Lesley University 4%
  • % Black
  • BU 4%
  • Lesley University 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • BU 11%
  • Lesley University 10%
  • % Native American
  • BU 0%
  • Lesley University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • BU 0%
  • Lesley University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • BU 4%
  • Lesley University 3%
  • % International
  • BU 20%
  • Lesley University 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • BU 5%
  • Lesley University 6%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • BU 15%
  • Lesley University 62%
  • % Out-of-State
  • BU 62%
  • Lesley University 34%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than Lesley University based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 2,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BU vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU or Lesley 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 Lesley University ($24,420 vs. $32,587).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston University are 4.5% lower than at Lesley University ($19,020 vs. $19,920).
  • Boston University is 98.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $33,846 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $34,256.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 98.8% higher at BU than at Lesley University (about $33,846 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $34,256.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at Boston University (100% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 222.7% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($61,848 vs. $19,167).

BU vs. Lesley University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BU or Lesley 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 Lesley University and BU.

  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; Lesley University - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Lesley University (3.31).
  • Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than BU (11.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 7.9% at Lesley University.

BU vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU and Lesley 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 Lesley University's (49%).
  • Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $33,400 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $2,680 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($24,320 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($251 vs. $279).
  • More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 63%)

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.