Boston University (BU) vs The New School

Boston University and The New School, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to their students. Boston University, a private research university, boasts a significantly larger student body and a higher acceptance rate compared to The New School, a private research university known for its focus on the arts, design, and social sciences. While both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, Boston University's popular majors include business, engineering, and health sciences, while The New School's strengths lie in the fields of design, performing arts, and social sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further differences, including student demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision in choosing the university that best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Boston University	The New School
Overview
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%	83.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	18.6%	66.3%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $95	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1360 - 1520	N/A
ACT range	31 - 34	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	32.0%
Students submitting ACT score	13.0%
Total number of applicants	75,778	9,696
Total number of admissions given out	14,129	6,428
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,011	1,902
Yield rate	28.4%	29.6%
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	$73,344
Average net price	$25,852	$43,547
Tuition	$58,560	$51,128
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,990 Meal plan: $5,850	Room/dormitory: $15,000 Meal plan: $6,400
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	53.0% Average amount $50,486	99.0% Average amount $20,330
Students receiving federal student loan	24.0% Average amount $4,317	26.0% Average amount $5,138
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $25,248	4.0% Average amount $23,894

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	18,229 Men 42.3% Women 57.7%	7,381 Men 24.3% Women 75.7%
Graduate students	17,875 Men 42.5% Women 57.5%	3,112 Men 31.9% Women 68.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	81.9%
International students	26.6%	33.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	11,356	2,325
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	California New York New Jersey Florida Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Computer and Information Science Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Visual & Performing Arts Computer and Information Science Communication and Journalism Multidisciplinary Studies Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio	11:1	10:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	89.4%	69.9%
Dropout rate	10.3%	16.3%
Transferred out	N/A	13.5%
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	Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $63,289 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $82,468 Visual and Performing Arts, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $72,367 Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,302 Year 2: $58,866 Year 3: $69,897 Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $50,442 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $68,670 Architecture (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,057 Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $63,261 Design and Applied Arts (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,427 Year 2: $63,430 Year 3: $62,407 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $52,154 Year 2: $59,788 Year 3: $60,722 Sustainability Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $52,594 Year 2: $50,856 Year 3: $59,550 International Relations and National Security Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,177 Year 2: $48,041 Year 3: $55,483 Design and Applied Arts (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $45,981 Year 2: $46,407 Year 3: $51,410

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Boston University and The New School?

Boston University (BU) is a large, comprehensive research university with a wide range of programs and a traditional campus environment. It's known for its strong professional schools and research opportunities. The New School, on the other hand, is a smaller, progressive university located in the heart of New York City, focusing on liberal arts, design, and the performing arts. It emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and social justice.
Which school is better for students interested in a traditional college experience?

Boston University offers a more traditional college experience with a defined campus, established traditions, and a strong emphasis on campus life. The New School, being integrated into the urban environment of New York City, provides a less conventional, more immersive city experience.
How do the academic focuses of Boston University and The New School differ?

BU excels in professional fields like business, engineering, communication, and medicine, alongside strong liberal arts programs. The New School is renowned for its programs in design (Parsons School of Design), performing arts (especially jazz and drama), social sciences, and humanities, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking and social engagement.
Which university is more selective in its admissions process?

Boston University generally has a more selective admissions process than The New School. BU's acceptance rate is typically lower, reflecting a larger applicant pool and higher average standardized test scores and GPA of admitted students.
What is the difference in campus environment and location?

BU has a large, traditional campus that runs along the Charles River in Boston. It offers a more self-contained campus environment. The New School is located in Greenwich Village, New York City, and its campus is integrated into the city. Students experience a vibrant urban environment with access to numerous cultural and professional opportunities.
How do the costs of attending Boston University and The New School compare?

Both Boston University and The New School are relatively expensive institutions. Tuition costs are comparable, but the overall cost of attendance at The New School may be higher due to the cost of living in New York City. It's important to research specific program costs and available financial aid at both universities.
Which school is better for students interested in design and the arts?

The New School, particularly through its Parsons School of Design, is highly regarded for its design and arts programs. While BU has strong arts programs, The New School's focus and reputation in these areas are generally considered superior.
What kind of financial aid opportunities are available at each university?

Both Boston University and The New School offer a range of financial aid options, including merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, and student loans. The specific aid packages vary depending on individual circumstances and program. It's best to consult the financial aid offices of both universities for detailed information.
How do the class sizes and student-to-faculty ratios compare?

Boston University, being a larger university, generally has larger class sizes, especially in introductory courses. The New School tends to have smaller class sizes and a lower student-to-faculty ratio, fostering a more intimate learning environment.
Which school is better for students seeking a global perspective?

Both universities offer opportunities for global engagement. Boston University has a well-established study abroad program with numerous locations worldwide. The New School, with its location in New York City and its focus on social justice and global issues, also provides a strong global perspective through its curriculum and diverse student body.
What are the career services like at Boston University and The New School?

Both universities offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career development. Boston University's career services are comprehensive and cater to a wide range of industries. The New School's career services are tailored to its specific programs, with strong connections to the design, arts, and social justice sectors in New York City.
How do the alumni networks of Boston University and The New School compare?

Boston University has a large and well-established alumni network spanning various industries and locations worldwide. The New School's alumni network is smaller but highly influential in the design, arts, social sciences, and humanities fields, particularly in New York City and other major cultural centers.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.