Rochester vs Boston University (BU)
Nestled in the heart of New York State, the University of Rochester (UR) and Boston University (BU), a vibrant institution in Massachusetts, stand as two prominent beacons of higher education. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence and offer a diverse range of programs, they also possess distinct characteristics that set them apart. UR boasts a highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 32%, while BU adopts a more inclusive approach, welcoming a broader range of students with an acceptance rate of 29%. In terms of student demographics, UR's undergraduate population is predominantly White (53%) and Asian (26%), while BU's student body reflects a more diverse mix, with White (48%), Asian (20%), and Hispanic (13%) students comprising significant portions. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve deeper into the unique strengths and offerings of each institution, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Boston University |
![]() University of Rochester |
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Overview |
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Location | Boston, Massachusetts | Rochester, New York |
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% | 91.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 18.6% | 40.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$95
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1360 - 1520 | 1370 - 1520 |
ACT range | 31 - 34 | 31 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 32.0% | 22.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 13.0% | 7.0% |
Total number of applicants | 75,778 | 19,543 |
Total number of admissions given out | 14,129 | 7,924 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,011 | 1,623 |
Yield rate | 28.4% | 20.5% |
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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $79,606 | $79,456 |
Average net price | $25,852 | $40,125 |
Tuition | $58,560 | $58,276 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,990
Meal plan:
$5,850
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Room/dormitory:
$10,692
Meal plan:
$6,696
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Available payment plans |
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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 $37,870 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
24.0%
Average amount $4,317 |
37.0%
Average amount $4,351 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $25,248 |
7.0%
Average amount $22,054 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
18,229
Men 42.3% Women 57.7% |
6,568
Men 48.0% Women 52.0% |
Graduate students |
17,875
Men 42.5% Women 57.5% |
5,471
Men 44.9% Women 55.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 26.6% | 30.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 11,356 | 1,350 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 10:1 |
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% | 85.9% |
Dropout rate | 10.3% | 4.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | 8.8% |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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