Boston University (BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. It has around 36,000 students, with a large international student body. Admissions are competitive, and the university has an acceptance rate of approximately 11%. Some of the most popular fields of study are Business, Communications, Engineering, Health Professions, and Social Sciences. The six-year graduation rate is around 89%, and BU alumni have a median salary of around INR 61,00,000 (ten years post-graduation, converted from ~$72,500). BU is highly ranked for international research, professional degrees, and city-campus experiences.
University of Massachusetts – Amherst (UMass Amherst) is the flagship public research university for the UMass system, situated in Amherst, Massachusetts. It is a large public school with around 31,000 students. Admissions are moderately selective, with the acceptance rate being approximately 57.7%. The most popular majors are Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences. The six-year graduation rate is approximately 82%, and the median income of UMass Amherst graduates is reported to be about INR 53,00,000 (ten years post-graduation, converted from ~$63,000). UMass Amherst has a reputation for its quality research programs, low-cost public education, and lively campus life.
| Boston University | University of Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.1 Out of 10 | 4.5 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 76 Times Higher Education 2026 # 88 QS World University 2026 # 75 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 112 Times Higher Education 2026 # 247 QS World University 2026 # 84 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 27 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 51 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 22 for Law by US News 2025 | # 55 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 44 for Medicine by US News 2024 # 351 for Law by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -98 PG Programs -136 Doctorate Programs -3 | UG Programs -85 PG Programs -71 Doctorate Programs -2 |
| Acceptance Rate | 10.8 % | 57.7 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-115 GMAT-650 IELTS-7 SAT-1400 TOEFL-100 | Duolingo-115 GMAT-570 GRE-291 IELTS-6.5 SAT-1180 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 58560 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 58560 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 43030 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 36136 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 34352 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 17784 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.
| Has an annual ROI of 8.3% with an average annual salary of 72,000 USD. Top recruiters are Raytheon Co, MassMutual Financial Group, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, IBM Corp. |
| 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.) | Average % required for UG admission: 90%; 3 letters of recommendation, audition and potfolio (depends upon program) |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Questrom School of Business | NA |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.4/10 Read 14 reviews | 7.8/10 Read 10 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 45 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 46 for Business by US News 2025 # 78 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 52 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 76 for Business by US News 2025 # 251 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 90/120 | Duolingo - 105/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 53/90TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -78102 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Oct 8, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) Dec 15, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) Dec 19, 2025 (Round 1 Decision Date for Fall 2026 Intake) Feb 4, 2026 (Round 1 Enrolment Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) Feb 27, 2026 (Round 2 Decision Date for Fall 2026 Intake) Mar 4, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for Fall 2025 Intake) Apr 1, 2026 (Round 2 Enrolment Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) May 1, 2026 (Round 3 Decision Date for Fall 2025 Intake) May 22, 2026 (Round 3 Enrolment Deadline for Fall 2025 Intake) | Nov 1, 2025 (Early Action Application Deadline For Fall Intake) Dec 1, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For Fall Intake) Feb 1, 2026 (Final Application Deadline For Fall Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Boston University | University of Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1839 | 1863 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 18:1 |
| Male:Female | 40% Male, 60% Female | 46% Male, 54% 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. | Main campus is in Amherst; Some parts are in the neighboring town of Hadley; Extends up to 1.6 km in all directions from Campus Center |
| 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. | Two libraries: W.E.B. Du Bois Library and Science & Engineering Library; W.E.B Du Bois is the world’s second-tallest library |
| 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 | Student Affairs and Campus Life helps in transitioning and connecting students to campus, fostering a positive campus climate, cultivating inclusion and diversity, supporting wellness, health and safety. |
| Hostel | #Double - $19020 #Single with private bath and board - $24010 | #Housing - $9462 |
| 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) | Russell Hulse (Nobel Prize in Physics); Catherine Coleman (NASA astronaut); Col Jason Fettig (28th Director of United States Marine Band); Jack Welch (former Chairman and CEO of GE); Kang Kyung-wha (former UN Under-Secretary-General) |
| 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). | Amherst: a town in Hampshire County; Major industries are aerospace, manufacturing, agriculture and food companies; Unemployment rate in May 2020 was 10.8%; Popular tourist attractions are Amherst College Musuem of Natural History; Puffer’s Pond, Yiddish Book Center, Mount Holyoke Range State Park, Mead Art Museum, Amherst Farmer’s Market |
| Weather |
Boston University vs University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst)
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Boston University (BU) ranks approximately 88 in QS World University Rankings 2026 globally, with special emphases in business, law, communications, health sciences, engineering, and international relations.
UMass Amherst, Massachusetts' flagship public university, is approximately 247th worldwide, with top programs in engineering, computer science, business, natural sciences, and public policy. While BU receives more international visibility, UMass Amherst has great reputation in research and STEM, particularly in the U.S.
General Information
BU, established in 1839, is a major private urban research university in Boston with more than 37,000 students, providing comprehensive graduate and professional programs.
UMass Amherst, established in 1863, is a public research university with approximately 31,000 students, situated in a suburban campus in Amherst, Massachusetts. It focuses on both research and a wide liberal arts and professional education.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
BU is selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 11%, drawing a globally diverse pool of applicants.
UMass Amherst is moderately selective for a public institution, with an acceptance rate of approximately 57.7%, and is a preferred choice for in-state students looking for high-quality public education.
Research Impact & Facilities
Both are R1 research universities.
BU excels in medicine, health sciences, communication, engineering, and business, with widespread Boston-based research collaborations.
UMass Amherst has particularly strong programs in STEM, agriculture, polymer science, environmental sciences, and business, with nationally known research institutions and high federal research awards.
Cost & Financial Aid
BU is pricier, with a tuition of about USD 62,000–65,000 annually, and provides both merit- and need-based assistance.
UMass Amherst is much more budget-friendly, particularly for students from the state, at an annual tuition of around USD 16,000–18,000, while out-of-state is approximately USD 37,000–39,000. There are financial aid options, such as merit scholarships and in-state assistance.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
BU graduates are extremely successful business, law, health science, media, and international relations professionals, tapping into Boston professional networks.
UMass Amherst graduates have good strengths in engineering, STEM, business, public policy, and academia with good numbers of regional and national job opportunities. BU has wider global professional networks, while UMass Amherst has great performance in STEM and professional careers, especially for U.S. students.
