Boston University (BU) vs Clark University

Boston University and Clark University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Boston University, a private research university, boasts a vibrant urban campus in the heart of Boston, while Clark University, also a private research university, is nestled in the charming college town of Worcester. With acceptance rates of 26% and 56%, respectively, these universities cater to different levels of selectivity. Boston University's diverse student body comprises 34% international students, while Clark University's international student population stands at 12%. Explore the comparison table to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, graduation rates, and other key factors, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Boston University logo

Boston University

Clark University logo

Clark University

Overview

Location Boston, Massachusetts Worcester, Massachusetts
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% 87.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 18.6% 48.0%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $80

Graduate: $95
Undergraduate: $60

Graduate: $100
SAT range 1360 - 1520 1218 - 1403
ACT range 31 - 34 27 - 30
Students submitting SAT score 32.0% 17.0%
Students submitting ACT score 13.0% 5.0%
Total number of applicants 75,778 8,151
Total number of admissions given out 14,129 3,915
Admitted students who chose to enroll 4,011 505
Yield rate 28.4% 12.9%
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 Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $79,606 $62,302
Average net price $25,852 $31,565
Tuition $58,560 $49,950
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $10,990

Meal plan: $5,850
Room/dormitory: $6,000

Meal plan: $4,150
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
95.0%
Average amount $27,608
Students receiving federal student loan 24.0%
Average amount $4,317
60.0%
Average amount $5,282
Students taking out private loans 5.0%
Average amount $25,248
9.0%
Average amount $16,271

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 18,229
Men 42.3% Women 57.7%
2,302
Men 42.1% Women 57.9%
Graduate students 17,875
Men 42.5% Women 57.5%
1,048
Men 49.3% Women 50.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students 26.6% 23.0%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 11,356 1,633
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 Connecticut Maine New Jersey

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Business
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Social Sciences
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio 11:1 9:1
Institutional accreditation New England Commission on Higher Education New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 89.4% 79.0%
Dropout rate 10.3% 6.8%
Transferred out N/A 14.1%
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
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,601
  • Year 2: $64,328
  • Year 3: $76,941
Geography and Cartography (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,259
  • Year 2: $52,733
  • Year 3: $68,708
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,937
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $58,038
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,649
  • Year 2: $48,432
  • Year 3: $50,210
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,148
  • Year 2: $44,418
  • Year 3: $49,665
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,833
  • Year 2: $37,208
  • Year 3: $49,591
Community Organization and Advocacy (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,656
  • Year 2: $39,639
  • Year 3: $47,508
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,412
  • Year 2: $34,526
  • Year 3: $46,715
Communication and Media Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $31,423
  • Year 3: $46,559
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $37,568
  • Year 3: $46,250

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