Head-to-Head Comparison
Boston University vs Georgetown University
- Boston Wins
- 21
- Tied
- 11
- Georgetown Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Boston University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Georgetown University achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $40,815 compared to Boston University's $24,402. Students who choose Boston University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $83,238 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Boston
- Lower cost: Average net price of $24,402, roughly $16,413 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #59
Georgetown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, 24% more than Boston University
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,500, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Boston graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (16% of degrees); Georgetown in Social Sciences (36%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Georgetown University over Boston University. Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment vs $83,238.
Pick Boston University over Georgetown University. Net price $24,402 vs $40,815.
Pick Boston University over Georgetown University. THE World Rank #59 vs #164.
Pick Boston University over Georgetown University. 2% mobility rate vs 1.9%.
Pick Georgetown University over Boston University. 95% completion rate vs 89%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Boston University and Georgetown University split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Boston University is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while Georgetown University takes 13%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 to 1,487.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Boston University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Boston University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $24,402, about $16,413 a year below Georgetown University's $40,815. Graduates of Georgetown University also borrow less: median debt of $15,500, against $23,250.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $65,652 before any change in aid. Choosing Boston University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Georgetown University graduates report median earnings of $103,494, compared with $83,238 at Boston University. That is a 24% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgetown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 24% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Georgetown University graduates a larger share of its students, 95% versus 89%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Boston University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2%; at Georgetown University, it is 1.9%. Boston University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Boston University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Boston University sits higher, at #59 versus #164.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Boston University to keep costs and debt down; pick Georgetown University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Boston University saves about $16,413 a year, yet Georgetown University graduates earn $20,256 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. Boston University ranks higher globally (#59 vs #164), but Georgetown University alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. Boston University concentrates enrollment in Communications, while Georgetown University leans toward Legal Studies. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,250, against $15,500 at Georgetown University.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Boston University's enrollment of 18,248 far exceeds Georgetown University's 7,569.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $40,815 runs well above Boston University's $24,402.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgetown holds onto its admits more tightly: 44% of admitted students enroll, versus 35% at Boston — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Boston offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Georgetown does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Boston, where only about 46% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Boston University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Boston University is a great fit for motivated students who are ready to engage with a vibrant urban campus. It's an appealing choice for those interested in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Communications, Biology & Biomedical, or Computer Science & IT. The school’s diverse offerings attract students who are eager to explore various disciplines and prepare for dynamic careers.
After graduation, students from Boston University can expect to earn an impressive average of $83,238 within a decade. This means graduates are stepping into solid financial footing relatively quickly, which is encouraging for those considering their return on investment. With a graduation rate of 89%, it shows that students not only enroll but also successfully complete their degrees, paving the way for upward mobility in their careers.
When it comes to the practical side of financing your education, the net price after aid stands at approximately $24,402, which is manageable for many families. The median debt for graduates is $23,250, a figure that many could navigate effectively post-graduation. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are ready to take advantage of Boston’s resources and connections, ultimately setting themselves up for successful futures.
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Georgetown University has a remarkable graduation rate of 95%, signaling strong student retention and success. This high rate indicates a supportive academic environment where most students complete their degrees on time, an essential factor for those considering their future careers.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility metrics are not available for Georgetown. However, the university's strong academic reputation suggests that graduates may have favorable outcomes in terms of career advancement and income, contributing positively to social mobility over time.
The net price of attendance at Georgetown is $40,815, with a median debt of $15,500 upon graduation. Graduates can expect to earn an average of $103,494 within ten years of completing their degree. Students who thrive here often pursue careers in social sciences, business, law, or health professions, benefiting from the university's strategic location in Washington, DC, which offers ample internship and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Boston University is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Boston's top program is Business Administration (16% of enrollment), while Georgetown leads with Sociology (36%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Boston) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Georgetown).
The two schools feed different job markets. Boston University is strongest in Communications, while Georgetown University concentrates in Legal Studies. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Boston University or Georgetown University?
Boston University is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 13% at Georgetown University.
Which is more affordable, Boston University or Georgetown University?
Boston University is more affordable, with an average net price of $24,402 after aid versus $40,815 at Georgetown University.
Do Boston University or Georgetown University graduates earn more?
Georgetown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, versus $83,238 at Boston University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Boston University or Georgetown University?
Georgetown University has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 89%.
Boston University vs Georgetown University: which is better for social mobility?
Boston University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2% versus 1.9%.
Should you choose Boston University or Georgetown University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Boston University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Georgetown University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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