Academic Comparison between BU and UCSD

Boston University and University of California-San Diego are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. BU is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Boston, MA and UCSD is a four-year, public school located in La Jolla, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • BU is a private (not-for-profit) and UCSD is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • BU has more expensive tuition & fees ($68,102) than UCSD ($47,676).
  • It is harder to admit to BU than UCSD.
  • UCSD has more students with 44,256 students while BU has 37,737 students.
  • BU has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while UCSD's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • BU has more full-time faculties with 3,236 faculties while UCSD has 3,101 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Boston Universityvs.University of California-San Diego
Boston, MassachusettsLocationLa Jolla, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$68,1022025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,788
Out-Of-State$47,676
50%% Receiving Financial Aid59%
$54,501Average Amount of Financial Aid$23,806
11.11 %Acceptance Rates26.71 %
37.35 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)20.41 %
1,480SAT Score-
33ACT Score-
89 %Graduation Rate86 %
-Transfer-out Rate4 %
95 %Retention Rate94 %
37,737Student Population44,256
3,236Number of Faculties3,101
10 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare