BU vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than University of Massachusetts-Boston based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 15,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); University of Massachusetts Boston is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston University 10:1; University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1.

BU vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts Boston than BU ($17,768 vs. $24,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston University are 0.6% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($19,020 vs. $19,128).
• Boston University is 328.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $52,194 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.6% higher at BU than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $29,977 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at Boston University (88% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 340.5% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($61,848 vs. $14,042).

BU vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BU or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston and BU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 300 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming BU students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 25 at University of Massachusetts-Boston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston.

BU vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU and University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $20,800 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $4,940 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($22,060 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($228 vs. $279).
• More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 58%)

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.