.jpeg?h=180&w=180&mode=stretch)
Boston University (BU) is a large private research institution in Boston, Massachusetts. It has around 36,000 students, and its student population is diverse and international. It has competitive admissions with an acceptance rate of approximately 11%. Its most popular majors are Business, Communications, Engineering, Health Professions, and Social Sciences. The six-year graduation rate is roughly 89%, and median alumni earnings ten years post-graduation are approximately INR 61,00,000 (~$72,500). BU is well-known internationally for research, professional programs, and urban pursuits in Boston.
Merrimack College is a private Catholic college in North Andover, Massachusetts. It is a smaller college with roughly 5,400 students. Admissions are relatively easier, with an acceptance rate of nearly 74%. The popular fields of study are Business, Health Professions, Education, Psychology, and Social Sciences. The six-year graduation percentage is nearly 70%, and the median salary of Merrimack graduates is approximately INR 51,00,000 (a decade after graduation, converted from ~$60,500). Merrimack is famous for student-centered learning, career readiness initiatives, and caring campus environment.
| Boston University | Merrimack College | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.1 Out of 10 | - |
| ranking (overall) | # 76 Times Higher Education 2026 # 88 QS World University 2026 # 75 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 380 Forbes 2019 |
| Subject Strength | # 27 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 51 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 22 for Law by US News 2025 | - |
| Programs | UG Programs -98 PG Programs -136 Doctorate Programs -3 | PG Programs -4 |
| Acceptance Rate | 11.0 % | 74.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-125 GMAT-688 IELTS-7 TOEFL-100 | - |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 58560 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 58560 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 15450 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 28440 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 31900 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | 96% of graduates employed within 6 months of graduation.Top recruiters: Brigham’s and Women’s Hospital; Wayfair LLC; Children’s Hospital, Boston; Amazon; Apple; Tesla; U.S. Department of State; Nike.
| |
| application requirements | Academic transcripts; English proficiency results; documentation of financial support; Standardized Tests (ACT/ SAT are optional); 2-3 LORs; Resume; Written Statement; Teacher Evaluation; Additional Requirements (portfolios; audition; medical requirements, etc.) | - |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.4/10 Read 14 reviews | 7.5/10 Read 1 reviews |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Boston University | Merrimack College |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | College |
| Established | 1839 | 1947 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 11:1:1 | 14:1 |
| Male:Female | 41% Male, 0% Female | 48% Male, 52% Female |
| Location Facts | 3 campuses; main campus situated along Charles River in Fenway- Kenmore & Allston neighborhood; BU Medical Campus in the South End neighborhood of Boston; Fenway Campus in the Riverway area near South Campus. | |
| Library | BU Library System consists of 21 libraries; houses 2.4 million physical volumes, over 45,000 current unique serials, 77,000 media titles; Mugar Memorial Library is the main library with other several specialized libraries with area-specific research collections. | |
| Campus Life | 500+ student clubs; fitness center; Agganis Arena (art entertainment complex); FitRec (270,000 sq foot fitness & recreation center); BU Beach; Morse Auditorium (Theatre); Marsh Chapel; Photonics Center; National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL); BU Bridge | |
| Hostel | #Housing & Food - $15450 | #Off campus (with family) - $1450 #On campus - $15225 #Off campus (not with family) - $15225 |
| Famous Alumni | 390,700+ living alumni; 8 Nobel Laureates; 23 Pulitzer Prize winners; 10 Rhodes Scholars; 6 Marshall Scholars; 48 Sloan Fellows; 9 Academy Award winners; several Emmy & Tony Award winners; Martin Luther King, Jr. (American Civil Rights Movement leader); PSY (South Korean singer); Genna Davis (American actress); Bill O'Reilly (American journalist and TV host) | |
| City Life | Boston- world leader in higher education because of several colleges & universities in the area; 12th largest economy in the world (majorly based on finance, professional & business services, biotechnology, IT, government activities, etc.); Popular tourist attractions include: Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, Fenway Park, Beacon Hill, Harvard Square, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, New England Aquarium; Unemployment rate- 2.9% (Sept 2022). | |
| Weather |
Boston University vs Merrimack College
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Boston University (BU) is internationally ranked around 88 in QS World University Rankings 2026, with strong programs in business, law, communications, health sciences, engineering, and international relations.Merrimack College, a private Catholic liberal arts institution in North Andover, Massachusetts, does not feature in global rankings but is regionally respected in the U.S. for business, education, health sciences, and liberal arts.
General Information
BU, founded in 1839, is a large urban research university with over 37,000 students. Its Boston location provides direct access to professional opportunities, cultural resources, and a global academic community.Merrimack, founded in 1947 by the Augustinian order, is a smaller college with around 5,500 students, emphasizing community, Catholic values, and personalized education in a suburban setting.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
BU is highly competitive, admitting approximately 11% of its candidates with a very impressive pool of international applicants.Merrimack is moderately competitive with an acceptance rate of approximately 74%, which renders it more accessible to a wide range of students.
Research Impact & Facilities
BU is an R1 research powerhouse, with global research collaborations, medical centers, and major funding in sciences, engineering, and humanities.
Merrimack is more teaching-focused, with smaller-scale research opportunities for undergraduates, particularly in business, education, health sciences, and STEM pathways.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both institutions have similar sticker prices, with tuition in the USD 62,000–65,000 per year range.
BU provides both need-based and merit scholarships, though competition is steep.
Merrimack offers generous merit-based scholarships and institutional aid, often making it more affordable than BU for many students.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
BU alumni are globally influential in business, law, medicine, international affairs, and media, benefiting from BU’s large, international alumni network and Boston connections.Merrimack alumni are regionally strong, particularly in education, business, and healthcare, with graduates often finding opportunities in New England industries and local communities.
.jpeg?h=40&w=40&mode=stretch){kind=small}
