Boston University vs Suffolk University

This page compares Boston University and Suffolk University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, Boston University is ranked #22 compared to #127 — a gap of 105 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Boston University has a median LSAT of 170 compared to 155, a gap of 15 points. This suggests applicants to Boston University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Boston University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 12.1% compared to Suffolk University's 61.9%.

Both schools are located in Massachusetts — Boston University in Boston and Suffolk University in Boston — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: Boston University places 35.7% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 12.2% for the other school. This 24 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Suffolk University has lower tuition at $62,610 per year compared to $69,870. Combined with employment rates of 91.2% (BU) and 87.1% (Suffolk University), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.