Explore alternatives based on outcomes, location, cost, and admission difficulty
Given Boston University's 10.8% acceptance rate, most applicants—even academically qualified ones—will need backup options. The schools below deliver comparable career outcomes with more accessible admission, different geographic options, or better value.
These schools offer higher acceptance rates while delivering comparable career outcomes.
For similar outcomes with better admission odds, consider Stonehill College (72.6% acceptance, $77,745 median earnings) just 20 miles from Boston. Assumption University admits 86.5% of applicants while producing graduates earning $74,895, located 37 miles away. Merrimack College offers 73.6% acceptance with graduate earnings of $75,584, also within the Boston metro area at 22 miles distance.
Strong options in the same region with comparable academic profiles.
Students wanting to remain in Massachusetts should consider Northeastern University (5.7% acceptance, $92,538 earnings) just over a mile from Boston University, though admission remains highly competitive. Boston College (15.7% acceptance, $103,937 earnings) is located 3 miles away with somewhat better admission odds and higher graduate earnings.
Elite universities with similar prestige and academic caliber
Similar quality tier (#227 ranked)
