Connecticut College vs. BU

Deciding between Connecticut College and Boston 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.

Connecticut College
Boston University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Connecticut College New London, CT
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Connecticut College Small City
  • BU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Connecticut College 1,990
  • BU 37,737
  • Type
  • Connecticut College Private 4 Year
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Connecticut College #93
  • BU #73
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Connecticut College -
  • BU -
  • Status
  • Connecticut College Non-profit
  • BU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Connecticut College
  • BU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Connecticut College $67,242
  • BU $68,102
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Connecticut College $67,242
  • BU $68,102
  • Room & Board
  • Connecticut College $18,558
  • BU $19,020
  • Average Net Price
  • Connecticut College $45,700
  • BU $24,420
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Connecticut College $38,932
  • BU $61,848
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Connecticut College 100%
  • BU 49%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Connecticut College 7,950
  • BU 78,769
  • Admitted
  • Connecticut College 2,945
  • BU 8,749
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Connecticut College 37%
  • BU 11.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Connecticut College 15.3%
  • BU 37.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Connecticut College 1430
  • BU 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Connecticut College 31
  • BU 33
  • Average High School GPA
  • Connecticut College 3.7
  • BU 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Connecticut College A-
  • BU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Connecticut College Exceptional
  • BU Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Connecticut College High
  • BU Very High
  • ACT Range
  • Connecticut College 30/33
  • BU 32/34
  • SAT Range
  • Connecticut College 1350/1500
  • BU 1420/1530
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Connecticut College Test optional
  • BU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Connecticut College Jan 1, 2027
  • BU Jan 4, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Connecticut College 9:1
  • BU 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Connecticut College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Biology (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Ethnic Studies (6%)
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Connecticut College 84%
  • BU 85%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Connecticut College $60,700
  • BU $72,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Connecticut College 90%
  • BU 82%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Connecticut College $23,550
  • BU $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Connecticut College $243
  • BU $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Connecticut College 39%
  • BU 42%
  • % Women
  • Connecticut College 61%
  • BU 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Connecticut College Medium
  • BU Very High
  • HBCU
  • Connecticut College No
  • BU No
  • % White
  • Connecticut College 71%
  • BU 43%
  • % Asian
  • Connecticut College 4%
  • BU 14%
  • % Black
  • Connecticut College 4%
  • BU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Connecticut College 9%
  • BU 11%
  • % Native American
  • Connecticut College 0%
  • BU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Connecticut College 0%
  • BU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Connecticut College 3%
  • BU 4%
  • % International
  • Connecticut College 6%
  • BU 20%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Connecticut College 3%
  • BU 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Connecticut College 13%
  • BU 15%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Connecticut College 82%
  • BU 62%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Connecticut College in New London, CT with Boston University in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boston University is larger than Connecticut College based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 1,990 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Connecticut College is located in New London, CT (Small City setting); Boston University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • Connecticut College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Connecticut College 9:1; Boston University 10:1.

Connecticut College vs. BU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Connecticut College or BU? 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 Connecticut College ($24,420 vs. $45,700).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Connecticut College are 2.4% lower than at Boston University ($18,558 vs. $19,020).
  • Boston University is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Connecticut College (about $860 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $67,242.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at BU than at Connecticut College (about $860 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $67,242.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Connecticut College than at Boston University (100% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 58.9% larger than aid received by Connecticut College students ($61,848 vs. $38,932).

Connecticut College vs. BU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 50 points higher than at Connecticut College (1430).
  • Incoming BU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Connecticut College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Connecticut College 1350/1500; Boston University 1420/1530.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Connecticut College 30/33; Boston University 32/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Connecticut College - Test optional; BU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Connecticut College Jan 1, 2027; BU Jan 4, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Connecticut College (3.7).
  • Connecticut College has a higher acceptance rate (37%) than BU (11.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Connecticut College vs. 37.4% at BU.

Connecticut College vs. BU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Connecticut College and BU? 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 Connecticut College's (84%).
  • Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Connecticut College graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $60,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Connecticut College graduates have a $3,450 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($23,550 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Connecticut College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($243 vs. $279).
  • More Connecticut College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.