BU vs. Ursinus College

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than Ursinus College based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 1,502 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BU vs. Ursinus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU or Ursinus 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 Ursinus College ($24,420 vs. $32,158).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ursinus College are 10.5% lower than at Boston University ($17,028 vs. $19,020).
• Boston University is 11.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ursinus College (about $6,892 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at BU than at Ursinus College (about $6,892 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ursinus College than at Boston University (100% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 38.2% larger than aid received by Ursinus College students ($61,848 vs. $44,754).

BU vs. Ursinus College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 190 points higher than at Ursinus College (1290).
• Incoming BU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at Ursinus College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; Ursinus College 1200/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; Ursinus College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; Ursinus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Ursinus College May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Ursinus College (3.53).
• Ursinus College has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 12.5% at Ursinus College.

BU vs. Ursinus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU and Ursinus 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 Ursinus College's (80%).
• Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Ursinus College graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ursinus College and BU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Ursinus College and BU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Ursinus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.