Northeastern University vs Boston University

Northeastern University and Boston University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Northeastern University is more selective with a 5.7% acceptance rate compared to Boston University's 10.8%. Average SAT scores are 1505 and 1473 respectively.

Cost: Boston University offers a lower average net price at $26,996, which is $5,120 less than Northeastern University ($32,116). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median salary of $92,538 ten years after enrollment, which is $9,300 more than Boston University graduates ($83,238).

Graduation: Northeastern University leads with a 90.8% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 97.5% vs 94.5%.

Campus Size: Boston University is the larger campus with 17,850 total students, while Northeastern University has 15,719.

Bottom Line: Boston University wins on affordability while Northeastern University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.