Harvard University vs Boston University

Side-by-side comparison

Choosing between Harvard University and Boston University depends on your specific needs and priorities. Overall, Harvard University leads in 4 out of 5 comparable metrics, while Boston University has the edge in 4.

When it comes to admission rate, Harvard University offers 3.5% compared to Boston University's 10.8%. When it comes to in-state tuition, Harvard University offers 59,076 compared to Boston University's 65,168. When it comes to enrollment, Harvard University offers 7,755 compared to Boston University's 17,850.

Below is a detailed side-by-side breakdown to help you make an informed decision between these two colleges.

Harvard University	Attribute	Boston University
3.5%	Admission Rate	10.8%
$59,076	In-State Tuition	$65,168
7,755	Enrollment	17,850
$101,817	Median Earnings (10yr)	$83,238
97.5%	Completion Rate	89.5%

Admission Rate

Harvard University

3.5%

Boston University

10.8%

In-State Tuition

Harvard University

$59,076

Boston University

$65,168

Enrollment

Harvard University

7,755

Boston University

17,850

Median Earnings (10yr)

Harvard University

$101,817

Boston University

$83,238

Completion Rate

Harvard University

97.5%

Boston University

89.5%

Harvard University

Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636, and named in 1639 for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John...

Boston University

Boston University (BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. BU was founded in 1839 by a group of Boston Methodists with its original campus in Newbury, Vermont. It...

Metrics

Metric	Harvard University	Boston University
Acceptance Rate	3.5%	10.8%
In-State Tuition	$59,076	$65,168
Out-of-State Tuition	$59,076	$65,168
Enrollment	7,755	17,850
Median Earnings (10yr)	$101,817	$83,238
Graduation Rate	97.5%	89.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is harder to get into, Harvard University or Boston University?

Harvard University is harder to get into with an acceptance rate of 3.5% vs 10.8%.

Which is cheaper, Harvard University or Boston University?

Harvard University is cheaper for in-state students at $59,076 vs $65,168, a difference of $6,092 per year.

Do Harvard University or Boston University graduates earn more?

Graduates of Harvard University earn more, with median earnings of $101,817 vs $83,238 10 years after enrollment.