BU vs. Seton Hall University

Deciding between Boston University and Seton Hall 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
Seton Hall University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ
  • Setting
  • BU Large City
  • Seton Hall University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • BU 37,737
  • Seton Hall University 9,571
  • Type
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • Seton Hall University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • BU #73
  • Seton Hall University #216
  • Religious Affiliation
  • BU -
  • Seton Hall University Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • BU Non-profit
  • Seton Hall University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • BU
  • Seton Hall University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • BU $68,102
  • Seton Hall University $53,170
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • BU $68,102
  • Seton Hall University $53,170
  • Room & Board
  • BU $19,020
  • Seton Hall University $17,970
  • Average Net Price
  • BU $24,420
  • Seton Hall University $33,896
  • Average Grant Aid
  • BU $61,848
  • Seton Hall University $34,943
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • BU 49%
  • Seton Hall University 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • BU 78,769
  • Seton Hall University 24,776
  • Admitted
  • BU 8,749
  • Seton Hall University 18,152
  • Acceptance Rate
  • BU 11.1%
  • Seton Hall University 73.3%
  • Enrolled
  • BU 37.4%
  • Seton Hall University 8.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BU 1480
  • Seton Hall University 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • BU 33
  • Seton Hall University 29
  • Average High School GPA
  • BU 3.79
  • Seton Hall University 3.64
  • Typical High School Grades
  • BU A-
  • Seton Hall University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • BU Exceptional
  • Seton Hall University Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • BU Very High
  • Seton Hall University Low
  • ACT Range
  • BU 32/34
  • Seton Hall University 27/32
  • SAT Range
  • BU 1420/1530
  • Seton Hall University 1220/1390
  • Submit Test Scores
  • BU Test optional
  • Seton Hall University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Seton Hall University Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • BU 10:1
  • Seton Hall University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Seton Hall University
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (7%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • BU 85%
  • Seton Hall University 66%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • BU $72,000
  • Seton Hall University $62,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • BU 82%
  • Seton Hall University 71%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • BU $27,000
  • Seton Hall University $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • BU $279
  • Seton Hall University $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • BU 42%
  • Seton Hall University 42%
  • % Women
  • BU 58%
  • Seton Hall University 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • BU Very High
  • Seton Hall University High
  • HBCU
  • BU No
  • Seton Hall University No
  • % White
  • BU 43%
  • Seton Hall University 51%
  • % Asian
  • BU 14%
  • Seton Hall University 9%
  • % Black
  • BU 4%
  • Seton Hall University 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • BU 11%
  • Seton Hall University 19%
  • % Native American
  • BU 0%
  • Seton Hall University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • BU 0%
  • Seton Hall University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • BU 4%
  • Seton Hall University 3%
  • % International
  • BU 20%
  • Seton Hall University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • BU 5%
  • Seton Hall University 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • BU 15%
  • Seton Hall University 71%
  • % Out-of-State
  • BU 62%
  • Seton Hall University 27%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston University in Boston, MA with Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boston University is larger than Seton Hall University based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 9,571 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Seton Hall University is in South Orange, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
  • Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seton Hall University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston University 10:1; Seton Hall University 14:1.

BU vs. Seton Hall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU or Seton Hall 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 Seton Hall University ($24,420 vs. $33,896).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seton Hall University are 5.5% lower than at Boston University ($17,970 vs. $19,020).
  • Boston University is 28.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Seton Hall University (about $14,932 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $53,170.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 28.1% higher at BU than at Seton Hall University (about $14,932 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $53,170.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seton Hall University than at Boston University (100% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 77% larger than aid received by Seton Hall University students ($61,848 vs. $34,943).

BU vs. Seton Hall University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 170 points higher than at Seton Hall University (1310).
  • Incoming BU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at Seton Hall University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; Seton Hall University 1220/1390.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; Seton Hall University 27/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; Seton Hall University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Seton Hall University Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Seton Hall University (3.64).
  • Seton Hall University has a higher acceptance rate (73.3%) than BU (11.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 8.8% at Seton Hall University.

BU vs. Seton Hall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU and Seton Hall 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 Seton Hall University's (66%).
  • Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Seton Hall University graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $62,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Seton Hall University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Seton Hall University graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Seton Hall University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 71%)

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.