New York University (NYU) vs Boston University (BU)
New York University and Boston University, two prominent private research universities located in vibrant metropolises, offer distinct academic experiences and opportunities. NYU, situated in the heart of New York City, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, while BU, nestled in the historic city of Boston, emphasizes experiential learning and global engagement. With acceptance rates of 16% and 21%, respectively, both universities are highly selective, attracting top students from around the world. While NYU's popular majors include Economics, Psychology, and Computer Science, BU excels in fields such as Business Administration, Biology, and Engineering. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these institutions, including student demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision in choosing the best fit for your academic and personal aspirations.
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![]() Boston University |
![]() New York University |
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Overview |
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Location | Boston, Massachusetts | New York, New York |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
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% | 94.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 18.6% | 13.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$95
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Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$110
|
SAT range | 1360 - 1520 | 1450 - 1570 |
ACT range | 31 - 34 | 32 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 32.0% | 23.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 13.0% | 9.0% |
Total number of applicants | 75,778 | 95,517 |
Total number of admissions given out | 14,129 | 12,380 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,011 | 6,097 |
Yield rate | 28.4% | 49.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | 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 | $79,746 |
Average net price | $25,852 | $50,991 |
Tuition | $58,560 | $53,770 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,990
Meal plan:
$5,850
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Room/dormitory:
$14,232
Meal plan:
$5,450
|
Available payment plans |
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|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
53.0%
Average amount $50,486 |
75.0%
Average amount $25,047 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
24.0%
Average amount $4,317 |
25.0%
Average amount $5,094 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $25,248 |
3.0%
Average amount $37,948 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
18,229
Men 42.3% Women 57.7% |
28,772
Men 41.8% Women 58.2% |
Graduate students |
17,875
Men 42.5% Women 57.5% |
29,454
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 67.6% |
International students | 26.6% | 30.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 11,356 | 13,063 |
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 | New York California New Jersey Texas Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 89.4% | 86.9% |
Dropout rate | 10.3% | 6.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | 5.9% |
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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Law (First Professional Degrees)
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Legal Professions and Studies, Other (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Real Estate (Master's Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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