- Both American University and Boston University (BU) are private.
- American University is located in Washington, DC and BU is located in Boston, MA.
- BU has more expensive tuition of $65,168 than American University ($56,543).
- BU has tighter acceptance rate of 25.11% than American University (29.40%).
- BU has higher SAT scores of 1,440 than American University (1,370).
- BU is larger with 36,714 students than American University (13,885 students).
American University View More Rivals | Boston University View More Rivals | |
| #57 in National Universities #3 in District of Columbia | Rankings | #30 in National Universities #7 in Massachusetts |
| Private, 4-years | School Type | Private, 4-years |
| Washington, DC | Location | Boston, MA |
| Known as | BU | |
| 1 Year Certificate Associate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) | Offered Degrees | 1 Year Certificate 2 Year Certificate 2-4 Year Certificate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Post-Master Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) |
| Research University (high research activity) | Carnegie Classification | Research University (very high research activity) |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| $56,543 | Undergraduate | $65,168 |
| $33,239 | Graduate | $64,712 |
| $30,338 | Financial Aid | $46,070 |
| Admission | ||
| $75 undergraduate $63 graduate | Application Fee | $80 undergraduate $95 graduate |
| 29.40% | Acceptance Rate | 25.11% |
| 32.47% | Yield | 22.90% |
| 1,370 SAT, 31 ACT | Test Scores | 1,440 SAT, 33 ACT |
| Student Population | ||
| 13,885 | Total Students | 36,714 |
| 7,917 | Undergraduate | 18,459 |
| 5,968 | Graduate | 18,255 |
| 1,516 | Online Enrollment | 4,044 |
| Graduation Rate & Outcomes | ||
| 79% | Graduation Rate | 88% |
| Transfer-out Rate | ||
| 86% | Retention Rate | 94% |
| $67,700 | Average Earning after Graduation | $75,900 |
| Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services | ||
| Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate | Distance Learning (Online Classes) | Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate |
| ROTC Study Abroad Weekend/Evening College Teacher Certifiate | Special Opportunities | ROTC Study Abroad Weekend/Evening College Teacher Certifiate |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 4,214) $10,400 average annual costs | On-Campus Living | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 11,649) $11,260 average annual costs |
| Not offered or not Reported | Meal Plan | Not offered or not Reported |
| Faculties and Staffs | ||
| 11 to 1 | Students to Faculty Ratio | 11 to 1 |
| 827 Full-time 704 Part-time | Number of Faculties | 3,047 Full-time 899 Part-time |
| 2,653 Full-time 907 Part-time | Number of Staffs | 9,030 Full-time 1,376 Part-time |
| $111,486 for Faculties $84,742 Part-time | Average Salary | $136,930 for Faculties $79,451 Part-time |