Boston University (BU) vs Notre Dame

Boston University and the University of Notre Dame, two prestigious institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Boston University, a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, with popular majors in business, engineering, and health sciences. In contrast, the University of Notre Dame, a private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, is known for its strong liberal arts tradition and popular majors in business, engineering, and the humanities. While both universities offer excellent academic opportunities, their acceptance rates, student body demographics, and graduation rates vary, making it essential for prospective students to delve into the comparison table to find the best fit for their individual needs and aspirations.

	Boston University	University of Notre Dame
Overview
Location	Boston, Massachusetts	Notre Dame, Indiana
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: 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%	98.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	18.6%	15.1%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $95	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1360 - 1520	1410 - 1550
ACT range	31 - 34	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	32.0%	33.0%
Students submitting ACT score	13.0%	36.0%
Total number of applicants	75,778	23,642
Total number of admissions given out	14,129	3,562
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,011	2,059
Yield rate	28.4%	57.8%
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$79,606	$78,347
Average net price	$25,852	$30,513
Tuition	$58,560	$58,336
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,990 Meal plan: $5,850	$16,304
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	57.0% Average amount $46,306
Students receiving federal student loan	24.0% Average amount $4,317	30.0% Average amount $4,134
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $25,248	12.0% Average amount $8,564

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	18,229 Men 42.3% Women 57.7%	8,973 Men 51.6% Women 48.4%
Graduate students	17,875 Men 42.5% Women 57.5%	4,166 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	93.1%
International students	26.6%	12.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	11,356	6,919
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	Illinois California Texas Indiana New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Computer and Information Science Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Business Engineering Multidisciplinary Studies Social Sciences Legal Profession
Students to faculty ratio	11:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	89.4%	95.9%
Dropout rate	10.3%	3.9%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
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 (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $124,439 Year 2: $123,601 Year 3: $135,572 Finance and Financial Management Services (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $89,269 Year 2: $89,674 Year 3: $126,773 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $120,074 Year 2: $108,092 Year 3: $123,182 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $87,638 Year 2: $85,243 Year 3: $110,135 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $80,593 Year 2: $89,968 Year 3: $105,831 Mathematics and Statistics, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,224 Year 2: $80,273 Year 3: $99,815 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,618 Year 2: $86,375 Year 3: $95,904 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,178 Year 2: $74,307 Year 3: $92,866 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,118 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $87,393 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,070 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $85,821

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Boston University and the University of Notre Dame?

Boston University (BU) is a large, private research university located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, offering a wide range of programs and a vibrant urban campus experience. The University of Notre Dame, located in Notre Dame, Indiana, is a private Catholic research university known for its strong sense of community, emphasis on undergraduate education, and prominent athletics program. BU offers a more secular and diverse environment, while Notre Dame provides a more faith-based and traditional college experience.
Which university is larger: Boston University or the University of Notre Dame?

Boston University is significantly larger than the University of Notre Dame. BU has a much larger undergraduate and graduate student population, offering a wider array of academic programs and research opportunities due to its size.
How do the academic reputations of Boston University and the University of Notre Dame compare?

Both Boston University and the University of Notre Dame are highly respected academic institutions. Notre Dame is often considered slightly more prestigious overall, particularly in fields like law, business, and theology. Boston University excels in areas like communication, journalism, engineering, and health sciences, benefiting from its location in a major city with numerous industry connections. Both universities offer strong research opportunities.
What is the campus environment like at Boston University versus the University of Notre Dame?

Boston University offers a dynamic urban campus experience integrated into the city of Boston. Students have access to a wide range of cultural attractions, internships, and social activities. The University of Notre Dame provides a more traditional, self-contained campus environment with a strong emphasis on community and tradition. Notre Dame fosters a close-knit atmosphere with a strong residential life program.
How do the costs of attending Boston University and the University of Notre Dame compare?

Both Boston University and the University of Notre Dame have similar high costs of attendance. Tuition, fees, and living expenses are comparable. However, the actual cost can vary significantly depending on financial aid packages and scholarships awarded. It's essential to compare individual financial aid offers from both institutions.
What are the religious affiliations of Boston University and the University of Notre Dame?

Boston University has historical ties to the United Methodist Church but is now non-sectarian and welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic university, and its Catholic identity is central to its mission and values. While students of all faiths are welcome, the university integrates Catholic traditions and teachings into campus life.
Which university is better for students interested in sports and athletics?

Both universities have strong athletic programs. The University of Notre Dame is particularly renowned for its football program and its strong athletic tradition across various sports. Boston University also has a competitive Division I athletic program, particularly strong in hockey, and offers a wide range of intramural and recreational sports opportunities.
What career opportunities are available to graduates of Boston University and the University of Notre Dame?

Graduates from both Boston University and the University of Notre Dame have excellent career prospects. Boston University's location in Boston provides access to numerous internships and job opportunities in various industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and media. The University of Notre Dame has a strong alumni network that provides valuable career support and connections, particularly in fields like business, law, and consulting. Both universities have dedicated career services to assist students with job placement.
How do the student bodies differ at Boston University and the University of Notre Dame?

Boston University has a more diverse student body in terms of ethnicity, nationality, and socioeconomic background, reflecting its urban location and global reach. The University of Notre Dame's student body is also diverse but tends to have a higher proportion of students from Catholic backgrounds and a stronger regional representation from the Midwest.
What are the strengths of Boston University's location compared to the University of Notre Dame's?

Boston University's location in Boston offers unparalleled access to cultural attractions, historical sites, and a thriving job market. Students can easily access internships, research opportunities, and social activities in a vibrant urban environment. The University of Notre Dame's location provides a more focused and traditional campus experience, fostering a strong sense of community and a close-knit environment away from the distractions of a major city.

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