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Boston University vs University of North Carolina

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

11.3% BU acceptance
16.8% UNC acceptance
$133,448 UNC cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

BU
Boston, Massachusetts
Private
Founded
1839
Enrollment
37,110
Setting
Urban
UNC
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Public
Founded
1789
Enrollment
32,852
Setting
Suburban

At a Glance

Tuition UNC saves $27,112
BU
$65,168
UNC
$38,056
Acceptance Rate BU more selective
BU
11.3%
UNC
16.8%
Graduation Rate UNC higher
BU
89%
UNC
91%
Avg SAT Score BU higher
BU
1450
UNC
1400
Starting Salary BU higher
BU
$72,300
UNC
$64,800

Detailed Comparison

Metric BU UNC Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$65,168$38,056UNC
Tuition (In-State)$65,168$8,998UNC
Room & Board$19,270$13,020UNC
Acceptance Rate11.3%16.8%BU
Graduation Rate89%91%UNC
Average SAT14501400BU
Student-Faculty Ratio10:113:1BU
Enrollment37,11032,852-
Avg Financial Aid$38,100$18,370BU
Starting Salary$72,300$64,800BU
Endowment$3.7B$5.3BUNC
Campus Size136 acres729 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

BU
$337,752
4-year total (private)
VS
UNC
$204,304
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: BU = $185,352 | UNC = $130,824. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

BU Top Majors

BusinessCommunicationEngineeringBiologyComputer Science

UNC Top Majors

BiologyBusinessComputer ScienceEconomicsPsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
BUUrban
UNCSuburban
Campus Size
BU136 ac
UNC729 ac
Athletics
BUNCAA D1
UNCNCAA D1
Region
BUNortheast
UNCSouth
Founded
BU1839
UNC1789
Enrollment
BU37,110
UNC32,852

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is BU or UNC harder to get into?+
BU is more selective with an acceptance rate of 11.3% compared to 16.8%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, BU or UNC?+
At sticker price, UNC costs less over 4 years ($204,304 vs $337,752). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. BU offers an average of $38,100/year in aid while UNC offers $18,370/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for BU and UNC?+
The average SAT score at BU is 1450 and at UNC it is 1400. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do BU or UNC graduates earn more?+
Graduates of BU have a higher average starting salary ($72,300 vs $64,800). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
BU has a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UNC has 13:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do BU and UNC compare for campus life?+
BU is located in Boston, Massachusetts (urban setting) with a 136-acre campus. UNC is in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (suburban setting) with 729 acres. BU competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UNC in NCAA D1.