Boston University (BU) is a large private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. It has approximately 36,000 students, including a strong international population. Admissions are competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 11%. The most popular majors are Business, Communications, Engineering, Health Professions, and Social Sciences. The six-year graduation rate is approximately 89%, and BU alumni claim a median salary of approximately INR 61,00,000 (ten years post-graduation, converted from ~$72,500). BU is particularly renowned for its urban campus, international research reputation, and professional programs.
Lehigh University is a private research university in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It is a mid-sized university with an enrollment of approximately 7,400 students. Admissions are fairly competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 29%. The most popular majors are Engineering, Business, Economics, Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences. The six-year graduation rate is roughly 90%, and graduates have a median income of approximately INR 73,00,000 (ten years after graduation, converted from ~$87,000). Lehigh has a strong focus in engineering, business, and interdisciplinary research, as well as a traditional campus lifestyle with strong faculty-student connections.
| Boston University | Lehigh University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.1 Out of 10 | 4.4 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 76 Times Higher Education 2026 # 88 QS World University 2026 # 75 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 601 Times Higher Education 2026 # 668 QS World University 2026 # 541 Center for World University Rankings 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 | # 81 for Engineering by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -98 PG Programs -136 Doctorate Programs -3 | UG Programs -46 PG Programs -31 |
| Acceptance Rate | 11.0 % | 29.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-125 GMAT-688 IELTS-7 TOEFL-100 | IELTS-6.5 SAT-1270 TOEFL-79 |
| 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 52480 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 22500 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 27305 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.
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| 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 15 reviews | 8.8/10 Read 4 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 | # 111 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 86 for Business by US News 2025 # 601 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 90/120 | Duolingo - 125/160IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 94/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -96196 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -64750 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Nov 12, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) Dec 19, 2025 (Round 1 Decision Date for Fall 2026 Intake) Jan 8, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline 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 2026 Intake) Apr 1, 2026 (Round 2 Enrolment Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) May 1, 2026 (Round 3 Decision Date for Fall 2026 Intake) May 22, 2026 (Round 3 Enrolment Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) | Dec 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For 2025 Round One) Mar 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For 2025 Round two) Apr 15, 2025 (Final Application Deadline) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Boston University | Lehigh University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1839 | |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 11:1:1 | 10:1 |
| Male:Female | 41% Male, 0% Female | 56% Male, 44% 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) - $1065 #On campus - $13120 #Off campus (not with family) - $13120 |
| 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 Lehigh University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Boston University (BU) is a globally recognized research university, ranking around 88 in QS World University Rankings 2026, and with specific excellence in business, law, communications, health sciences, engineering, and international relations.Lehigh University, a private research university in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, tends to rank in the 668 range globally, but within the United States is highly regarded, especially for engineering, business, and applied sciences.
General Information
BU, established in 1839, is a large city-based university in Boston with more than 37,000 students, providing a diverse array of professional and liberal arts offerings. Its position also provides access to major industries and global networks.
Lehigh, founded in 1865, is a mid-sized private university with about 7,400 students, located on a picturesque campus in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. It has a stronger campus-based community focus, with equal attention to liberal arts and professional studies.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
BU has a selective acceptance rate of about 11%, with a large and diverse international applicant pool.
Lehigh is also competitive and accepts around 29% of applicants, having a student body moving toward STEM and business-degree programs.
Research Impact & Facilities
Both are R1 research universities.
BU is particularly renowned for its medicine, public health, engineering, and communication studies research, and it has connections to Boston's hospitals and industries.
Lehigh is well known for engineering, materials science, and business innovation, with a strong focus on applied research and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both charge tuition in the range of USD 62,000–65,000 annually.
BU provides both need-based and merit scholarships, although aid packages can be competitive.
Lehigh also offers both need-based and merit-based aid, and regularly focuses on helping middle-income families.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
BU alumni succeed in business, medicine, law, international relations, and the arts, its Boston location providing access to key industries. Its large and international alumni base extends from coast to coast.
Lehigh alumni excel at engineering, finance, and consulting, many entering into Fortune 500 corporations or becoming entrepreneurs. Its more compact alumni base is close-knit and intensely focused on STEM and business care
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