Skip to content

College Comparison

Boston University vs UIUC: 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

UIUC

Champaign, IL

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricBoston UniversityUIUC
Acceptance Rate10.8%wins43.7%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1400–1520wins1270–1510
ACT Range (25th–75th)32–34wins29–34
Tuition (Out-of-State)$65,168$34,501wins
Avg Net Price$26,996$15,201wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$83,238wins$81,054
Graduation Rate90.0%wins84.9%
Retention Rate94.5%wins94.3%
Student–Faculty Ratio10:1wins20:1
Total Enrollment17,85034,623wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Boston University edges out UIUC on 7 of 10 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
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 32–34
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $83,238

UIUC Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $34,501
  • Avg Net Price: $15,201
  • Total Enrollment: 34,623

Want a deeper comparison?

Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.

Open Compare Tool

Related Comparisons