Academic Comparison between UCSD and BU

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

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.

  • UCSD is a public and BU is a private (not-for-profit) 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

University of California-San Diegovs.Boston University
La Jolla, CaliforniaLocationBoston, Massachusetts
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$15,788
Out-Of-State$47,676
2025 Tuition & Fees$68,102
59%% Receiving Financial Aid50%
$23,806Average Amount of Financial Aid$54,501
26.71 %Acceptance Rates11.11 %
20.41 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)37.35 %
-SAT Score1,480
-ACT Score33
86 %Graduation Rate89 %
4 %Transfer-out Rate-
94 %Retention Rate95 %
44,256Student Population37,737
3,101Number of Faculties3,236
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, 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