Brown University vs Boston University (BU)
Brown University and Boston University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Brown, an Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, boasts a lower acceptance rate (8.6%) compared to Boston University's (22.5%) in Boston, Massachusetts. While Brown's student body is smaller and more diverse, Boston University's larger student population provides a vibrant and diverse campus community. Both universities excel in various academic disciplines, with Brown known for its strengths in the social sciences and humanities, and Boston University renowned for its programs in health sciences, business, and engineering. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision in choosing the best fit for your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Boston University |
![]() Brown University |
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Overview |
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Location | Boston, Massachusetts | Providence, Rhode Island |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
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% | 98.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 18.6% | 5.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$95
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Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1360 - 1520 | 1460 - 1570 |
ACT range | 31 - 34 | 33 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 32.0% | 51.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 13.0% | 30.0% |
Total number of applicants | 75,778 | 46,568 |
Total number of admissions given out | 14,129 | 2,568 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,011 | 1,705 |
Yield rate | 28.4% | 66.4% |
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 | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $79,606 | $82,570 |
Average net price | $25,852 | $25,028 |
Tuition | $58,560 | $60,944 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,990
Meal plan:
$5,850
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Room/dormitory:
$10,054
Meal plan:
$6,292
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
53.0%
Average amount $50,486 |
46.0%
Average amount $55,420 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
24.0%
Average amount $4,317 |
9.0%
Average amount $5,159 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $25,248 |
2.0%
Average amount $27,008 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
18,229
Men 42.3% Women 57.7% |
7,349
Men 48.1% Women 51.9% |
Graduate students |
17,875
Men 42.5% Women 57.5% |
3,347
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 96.5% |
International students | 26.6% | 18.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 11,356 | 5,013 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania | New York California Mississippi New Jersey Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 6:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 89.4% | 95.8% |
Dropout rate | 10.3% | 3.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Insurance (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
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