Boston University (BU) vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)

Boston University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Boston University, a private research university, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a more diverse student body compared to UNC-Chapel Hill, a public research university. While UNC-Chapel Hill offers a wider range of undergraduate majors, Boston University excels in certain fields such as business and engineering. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with UNC-Chapel Hill having a slightly higher rate. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Boston University	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Overview
Location	Boston, Massachusetts	Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	94.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	18.6%	20.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $95	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $95
SAT range	1360 - 1520	1140 - 1380
ACT range	31 - 34	22 - 27
Students submitting SAT score	32.0%	2.0%
Students submitting ACT score	13.0%	12.0%
Total number of applicants	75,778	50,729
Total number of admissions given out	14,129	10,348
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,011	4,690
Yield rate	28.4%	45.3%
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	In state: $24,770 Out of state: $52,633
Average net price	$25,852	$11,508
Tuition	$58,560	In state: $7,019 Out of state: $34,882
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,990 Meal plan: $5,850	Room/dormitory: $6,878 Meal plan: $5,004
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	53.0% Average amount $50,486	42.0% Average amount $16,076
Students receiving federal student loan	24.0% Average amount $4,317	17.0% Average amount $4,244
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $25,248	3.0% Average amount $14,032

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	18,229 Men 42.3% Women 57.7%	19,845 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%
Graduate students	17,875 Men 42.5% Women 57.5%	11,796 Men 41.4% Women 58.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	16.2%
International students	26.6%	6.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	11,356	9,984
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	North Carolina Georgia Maryland New York Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Computer and Information Science Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio	11:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	89.4%	90.5%
Dropout rate	10.3%	3.7%
Transferred out	N/A	5.4%
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	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $168,979 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $238,213 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $135,965 Year 2: $127,836 Year 3: $150,089 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $116,248 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $128,102 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $67,961 Year 2: $103,078 Year 3: $117,488 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,271 Year 2: $86,036 Year 3: $96,602 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,162 Year 2: $72,083 Year 3: $95,204 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,938 Year 2: $73,823 Year 3: $89,917 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,557 Year 2: $57,770 Year 3: $87,057 Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,899 Year 2: $67,660 Year 3: $86,155 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,205 Year 2: $68,666 Year 3: $82,520

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location and campus environment between Boston University (BU) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)?

Boston University is located in the vibrant city of Boston, Massachusetts, offering a classic urban campus experience with access to a wide array of cultural attractions, historical sites, and professional opportunities. UNC-Chapel Hill, on the other hand, is situated in the smaller, college town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This provides a more traditional, close-knit campus environment with a strong emphasis on Southern culture and a more relaxed pace of life. BU's location offers more immediate access to a large city, while UNC provides a more contained and campus-focused experience.
How do the academic programs at BU and UNC-Chapel Hill compare?

Both universities offer a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs. BU is particularly strong in communications, journalism, engineering, and business, benefiting from its urban location and industry connections. UNC-Chapel Hill is renowned for its strong programs in humanities, social sciences, business, and medicine. UNC also has a highly regarded public health school. The specific strengths of each institution may align better with your individual academic interests; research the specific departments and programs within each university to determine the best fit for your goals.
What is the cost of attendance like at Boston University versus UNC-Chapel Hill?

The cost of attendance varies significantly. Boston University is a private university, and therefore, generally has a higher tuition, fees, and overall cost of attendance compared to UNC-Chapel Hill, which is a public university. UNC-Chapel Hill offers a more affordable option, especially for in-state residents. However, financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available at both institutions, so it's important to explore those options to determine the net cost for your specific circumstances.
How does the student body and campus culture differ between BU and UNC?

BU has a diverse student body, drawing from a wide range of geographic locations and backgrounds, reflecting the international character of Boston. The campus culture is often described as energetic and fast-paced, mirroring the city environment. UNC-Chapel Hill has a strong sense of community and tradition, with a significant number of students from North Carolina and the surrounding region. The campus culture is often characterized by a strong sense of school spirit, a focus on athletics, and a more relaxed atmosphere compared to BU.
What are the research opportunities like at Boston University and UNC-Chapel Hill?

Both universities are leading research institutions, providing ample opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in research. BU has a strong emphasis on research across various disciplines, with significant funding and resources available. UNC-Chapel Hill is also a major research university, particularly strong in areas like medicine, public health, and the humanities. The specific research opportunities available will depend on your field of study, so it's advisable to explore the research interests of faculty within your chosen department at each university.
How do the career services and alumni networks compare at BU and UNC?

Both universities offer robust career services to assist students with internships, job searches, and career development. BU's location in Boston provides access to a wide range of industries and companies, offering strong career opportunities, particularly in fields like media, technology, and finance. UNC-Chapel Hill's alumni network is extensive and supportive, with a strong presence in the Southeast and across various industries. The strength of the alumni network and career services at both institutions can be a significant advantage in your job search after graduation.
What are the athletic programs like at Boston University and UNC-Chapel Hill?

UNC-Chapel Hill is known for its highly competitive Division I athletic programs, particularly in basketball, football, and soccer, fostering a strong sense of school spirit and community engagement. BU also has a Division I athletic program, but the focus and prominence of athletics are generally less pronounced compared to UNC. If you are highly interested in collegiate athletics, UNC-Chapel Hill would likely offer a more immersive experience.
How does the housing situation differ at BU and UNC?

Boston University offers a variety of on-campus housing options, but the availability and cost can be a factor due to the high demand and the urban environment. UNC-Chapel Hill also provides on-campus housing, and the cost and availability may be more manageable compared to BU. Both universities also offer off-campus housing options, but the specifics of the housing market will vary depending on the location of each university.
Which university is a better fit for me: Boston University or UNC-Chapel Hill?

The best fit depends on your individual preferences and priorities. If you prefer a vibrant urban environment, a wide range of academic programs, and strong industry connections, Boston University might be a better choice. If you prefer a close-knit campus community, a strong sense of tradition, a more affordable cost, and a focus on athletics, UNC-Chapel Hill might be a better fit. Consider your academic interests, career goals, preferred campus environment, and financial situation when making your decision. Visiting both campuses, if possible, can also help you get a feel for the atmosphere and culture of each university.

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