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BU
Boston University
VS
NYU
New York University
Boston vs. The Big Apple

Two premier urban universities. One in America's best college city. One in America's biggest city. Both expensive, both prestigious, both will take over your personality. The eternal question: Boston or New York?

TALE OF THE TAPE

Head-to-head by the numbers

2
BU Wins
0
Ties
6
NYU Wins
Acceptance RateNYU
14%
BU
12%
NYU
Average SATNYU
1,480
BU
1,510
NYU

Mid-50% range

4-Year Graduation RateBU
88%
BU
84%
NYU
Starting SalaryNYU
$68,000
BU
$72,000
NYU

NYC salaries skew higher

Student:Faculty RatioNYU
11:1
BU
9:1
NYU
Tuition + FeesNYU
$65,168
BU
$60,438
NYU

But NYC cost of living...

Campus HousingBU
75%
BU
45%
NYU

Percent of students in dorms

Research FundingNYU
$599,000,000
BU
$1,100,000,000
NYU

NYU's medical center dominates

Category Battles

Vote on who wins each category. Click a side to cast your vote.

Campus Vibe

Housing Situation

Dining Quality

Academic Prestige

Social Scene

Career Outcomes

City Experience

Value for Money

HOT TAKES

Unfiltered opinions. Handle with care.

Pro-BU
"

NYU students love to say 'the city is my campus' when what they really mean is 'I don't have any friends and I eat lunch alone.'

"
React:
Credit to NYU
"

Stern and Tisch are genuinely world-class. If you get into those specific programs, NYU might be worth the chaos.

"
React:
Pro-BU
"

NYU's housing situation is genuinely criminal for what they charge. Some freshmen end up in Brooklyn. In what world is that acceptable?

"
React:
Credit to NYU
"

The NYC internship access is real. Being able to work at a major company during the semester is a legitimate advantage.

"
React:
Pro-BU
"

BU students have an actual college experience. NYU students have an expensive gap year in Manhattan.

"
React:
Credit to NYU
"

If you're in arts, media, or fashion, NYC exposure is hard to replicate. Those industries live there.

"
React:
Pro-BU
"

NYU's school spirit is nonexistent because they don't have sports. BU hockey games alone are worth the difference.

"
React:

THE VERDICT

It Depends

This comes down to one question: Do you want a college experience or a city experience? BU gives you both—urban access with actual campus life. NYU gives you New York with a student ID. Both are valid, but they're very different.

Choose BU if...

  • You want a real campus and college social life
  • Guaranteed housing and meal plans matter
  • You want city access without city prices
  • School spirit and athletics are important to you

Choose NYU if...

  • You got into Stern, Tisch, or another elite NYU program
  • Your career is in an NYC-dominant industry (fashion, media, art)
  • You're independent and don't need structured social life
  • You've always dreamed of living in New York

BU is a university in a city. NYU is a city with a university. Know the difference.

— The Rivalry Zone

Which School Fits You?

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