Boston University (BU) vs Brandeis

Boston University and Brandeis University, both esteemed institutions in Massachusetts, offer distinct educational experiences. Boston University, a bustling urban campus, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, including popular majors like Business Administration and Computer Science. Brandeis University, nestled in a suburban setting, prides itself on its strong liberal arts foundation and research opportunities, with popular majors in Biology and Psychology. While Boston University's acceptance rate is slightly higher, both universities maintain rigorous academic standards, reflected in their impressive graduation rates. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique strengths and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Boston University	Brandeis University
Overview
Location	Boston, Massachusetts	Waltham, Massachusetts
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	94.0%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	18.6%	39.1%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $95	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1360 - 1520	1370 - 1530
ACT range	31 - 34	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	32.0%	40.0%
Students submitting ACT score	13.0%	17.0%
Total number of applicants	75,778	9,796
Total number of admissions given out	14,129	3,834
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,011	943
Yield rate	28.4%	24.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$79,606	$75,006
Average net price	$25,852	$35,147
Tuition	$58,560	$59,408
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,990 Meal plan: $5,850	Room/dormitory: $9,380 Meal plan: $7,070
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	53.0% Average amount $50,486	83.0% Average amount $29,119
Students receiving federal student loan	24.0% Average amount $4,317	26.0% Average amount $3,948
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $25,248	3.0% Average amount $22,397

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	18,229 Men 42.3% Women 57.7%	3,591 Men 40.5% Women 59.5%
Graduate students	17,875 Men 42.5% Women 57.5%	1,967 Men 43.5% Women 56.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	26.6%	25.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	11,356	2,950
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York California New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania	Mississippi New York New Jersey California Connecticut

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Computer and Information Science Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Social Sciences Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Mathematics and Statistics Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	11:1	10:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	89.4%	87.5%
Dropout rate	10.3%	4.5%
Transferred out	N/A	7.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $115,398 Year 2: $125,611 Year 3: $147,490 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $110,318 Year 2: $110,878 Year 3: $142,427 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,155 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $117,665 Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,383 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $115,901 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $104,027 Year 2: $106,688 Year 3: $113,743 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,380 Year 2: $102,306 Year 3: $111,308 Insurance (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,170 Year 2: $97,959 Year 3: $108,260 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $108,069 Year 2: $92,743 Year 3: $106,517 Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,263 Year 2: $96,829 Year 3: $104,284 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $81,137 Year 2: $83,848 Year 3: $99,636	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,340 Year 2: $80,309 Year 3: $101,400 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $66,678 Year 2: $72,214 Year 3: $85,160 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,105 Year 2: $66,401 Year 3: $70,790 Economics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $50,731 Year 2: $55,840 Year 3: $64,826 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,010 Year 2: $54,192 Year 3: $63,166 Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $46,126 Year 2: $55,286 Year 3: $59,597 Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: $49,902 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,983 Year 2: $44,356 Year 3: $49,523 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,142 Year 2: $37,208 Year 3: $47,023 Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,477 Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: $46,669

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Boston University (BU) and Brandeis University?

Boston University is a large, urban university with a wide range of programs and a global focus. It's known for its professional schools and research opportunities. Brandeis University, on the other hand, is a smaller, suburban research university with a strong emphasis on liberal arts and social justice. It offers a more intimate academic environment.
Which university is larger: BU or Brandeis?

Boston University is significantly larger than Brandeis University. BU has a much larger undergraduate and graduate student population, offering a wider array of programs and resources.
Where are BU and Brandeis located?

Boston University is located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, along Commonwealth Avenue. Brandeis University is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, a suburb about 9 miles west of Boston.
How do BU and Brandeis compare in terms of academic focus?

BU offers a broad range of programs, including strong professional schools like business, engineering, and communication. Brandeis excels in the liberal arts and sciences, with a particular emphasis on social justice, humanities, and interdisciplinary studies. While both are research universities, Brandeis has a stronger focus on undergraduate research opportunities.
What is the student life like at BU versus Brandeis?

BU offers a vibrant urban student life with access to all that Boston has to offer, including numerous clubs, organizations, and cultural events. Brandeis provides a more close-knit campus community with a strong emphasis on student involvement and social activism. BU's social scene is more integrated with the city, while Brandeis's is more campus-centric.
How do the costs of attending BU and Brandeis compare?

The cost of attendance at both Boston University and Brandeis University is relatively similar. Tuition, fees, and living expenses are comparable. However, the actual cost for each student will vary depending on financial aid packages and individual spending habits.
Which university is known for its research opportunities?

Both BU and Brandeis are research universities, offering numerous opportunities for students to get involved in research. BU has a larger research enterprise overall, while Brandeis offers more focused research opportunities for undergraduates, particularly in the sciences and humanities.
How do BU and Brandeis compare in terms of diversity?

Both BU and Brandeis are committed to diversity and inclusion. BU has a more globally diverse student body due to its larger size and international programs. Brandeis is known for its strong Jewish heritage and commitment to social justice, attracting a diverse student body with a passion for these values.
What are the popular majors at BU and Brandeis?

Popular majors at BU include business, communication, engineering, and health sciences. At Brandeis, popular majors include biology, economics, politics, and psychology.
Which university is better for students interested in a specific career path?

If you have a specific career path in mind, especially in fields like business, communication, or engineering, BU's professional schools may be a better fit. If you are interested in exploring a variety of subjects and developing a strong foundation in the liberal arts, Brandeis may be a better choice.
How do the acceptance rates compare between BU and Brandeis?

Both BU and Brandeis are selective universities. Generally, BU's acceptance rate is slightly higher than Brandeis's, making Brandeis a bit more competitive to get into. However, both require strong academic records and compelling applications.
What kind of financial aid opportunities are available at BU and Brandeis?

Both BU and Brandeis offer a range of financial aid options, including need-based grants, merit-based scholarships, and student loans. It's best to visit their respective financial aid websites to learn more about specific eligibility requirements and application processes.
How do BU and Brandeis handle campus housing?

BU offers a variety of on-campus housing options, from traditional dormitories to apartment-style living. Brandeis also provides on-campus housing for the majority of its undergraduate students, fostering a strong sense of community. Both universities guarantee housing for a certain number of years, but it's important to check their specific policies.
What are the athletic programs like at BU and Brandeis?

BU is a Division I school with a wide range of varsity sports. Brandeis is a Division III school, emphasizing participation and sportsmanship. If you're looking for a high-profile athletic experience, BU might be a better fit. If you're interested in participating in sports at a more recreational level, Brandeis could be a good choice.
Which school is better for international students?

Both BU and Brandeis are welcoming to international students and offer resources to support their academic and personal success. BU, with its larger size and global focus, may have a slightly larger international student population and a wider range of international programs. However, Brandeis also provides a supportive environment for international students within its close-knit community.

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