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College Comparison

Boston University vs UC Irvine: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

Boston University

Boston, MA

School

UC Irvine

Irvine, CA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricBoston UniversityUC Irvine
Acceptance Rate10.8%wins25.6%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1400–1520winsN/A
ACT Range (25th–75th)32–34N/A
Tuition (Out-of-State)$65,168$45,014wins
Avg Net Price$26,996$12,840wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$83,238wins$80,735
Graduation Rate90.0%wins86.0%
Retention Rate94.5%wins93.8%
Student–Faculty Ratio10:1wins18:1
Total Enrollment17,85029,494wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Boston University edges out UC Irvine on 6 of 9 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Boston University Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 10.8%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1400–1520
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $83,238
  • Graduation Rate: 90.0%

UC Irvine Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $45,014
  • Avg Net Price: $12,840
  • Total Enrollment: 29,494

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