UCSD vs 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 ($65,168) than UCSD ($46,042).
  • It is harder to admit to BU than UCSD.
  • UCSD has more students with 42,006 students while BU has 36,714 students.
  • BU has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while UCSD's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • BU has more full-time faculties with 3,047 faculties while UCSD has 2,799 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
UCSD BU
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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$15,265
Out-Of-State$46,042
2024 Tuition & Fees$65,168
58%% Receiving Financial Aid49%
$20,811Average Amount of Financial Aid$46,070
23.71 %Acceptance Rates14.37 %
21.05 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)31.32 %
-SAT Score1,440
-ACT Score33
87 %Graduation Rate88 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
93 %Retention Rate94 %
42,006Student Population36,714
2,799Number of Faculties3,047
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 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