BU vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston University in Boston, MA with Wheaton College (Massachusetts) in Norton, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boston University is larger than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 1,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is in Norton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston University 10:1; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 11:1.

BU vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($24,420 vs. $30,701).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) are 14.8% lower than at Boston University ($16,200 vs. $19,020).
• Boston University is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (about $4,142 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $63,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at BU than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (about $4,142 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $63,960.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Boston University (99% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 27.1% larger than aid received by Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students ($61,848 vs. $48,666).

BU vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BU or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) and BU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 170 points higher than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (1310).
• Incoming BU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Wheaton College (Massachusetts)).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 1220/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (3.48).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) has a higher acceptance rate (67.7%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 12.9% at Wheaton College (Massachusetts).

BU vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU and Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s (77%).
• Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.