Head-to-head comparison
American University vs. Boston University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs American or BU harder to get into?
BU is harder to get into than American. BU's 11.1% acceptance rate is lower than American's 12.9%.
Which is cheaper, American or BU?
BU costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, BU's average net price is $24,402 vs $40,815 at American.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
American graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $103,494 at American and $83,238 at BU.
Full Comparison
| Metric | American | BU |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 12.9% | 11.1% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1390–1550 | 1420–1530 |
| ACT mid-50% | 31–35 | 32–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $88,741 | $86,285 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $40,815 | $24,402 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 7,569 | 18,248 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 94.8% | 88.7% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $103,494 | $83,238 |
| Setting | Washington, D.C. | Boston, Massachusetts |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
BU is modestly harder to get into. The 1.8-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
BU is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $16,413 per year, $65,652 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
American graduates earn $20,256 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. BU grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
BU is substantially larger with 18,248 undergrads vs 7,569 at American. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. American is in Washington, D.C.; BU is in Boston, Massachusetts. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
BU has a more international student body (21.2% non-resident students vs 13.3%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
American's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (94.8% vs 88.7% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. American is 59.0% women, 13.3% international, and 15.4% Asian-American. BU is 58.1% women, 21.2% international, and 20.5% Asian-American.
| Demographic | American | BU |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 59.0% | 58.1% |
| International | 13.3% | 21.2% |
| White | 46.1% | 32.2% |
| Asian | 15.4% | 20.5% |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 11.5% |
| Black | 4.9% | 5.9% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at American vs. BU?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick American if
- Your odds are realistic at American (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($103,494 vs $83,238)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- its School of International Service and close ties to D.C. policy and journalism
Pick BU if
- Net price matters: BU costs $16,413 less per year on average
- the Kilachand Honors College
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
American University
12.9% accept · Washington, D.C.
Full profile
Boston University
11.1% accept · Boston, Massachusetts
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.