Is the University of Michigan harder to get into than Boston University?

Yes. The University of Michigan is typically harder to get into than Boston University overall, especially for applicants who are not Michigan residents. Michigan gets a very large applicant pool, has especially intense competition for out-of-state spots, and is one of the most selective public universities in the country. Boston University is also very selective, but it is usually a step less difficult in broad admissions terms.

One big differentiator is residency. At Michigan, in-state and out-of-state applicants are not facing the same level of competition, and nonresidents usually see the toughest odds. That makes Michigan feel much more reach-like for many students outside the state, while BU does not have that public-university residency split.

Another difference is applicant demand and institutional profile. Michigan attracts huge numbers of students who want a classic large research university with nationally known academics, school spirit, Big Ten athletics, and strong programs across many fields. That combination creates unusually broad demand, which pushes admissions difficulty up across the board.

Program choice can also matter more at Michigan. Some schools and majors there, such as business or engineering-related paths, can be especially competitive, and applicants often treat them as top-tier options.

So if you are building a list, it makes sense to treat Michigan as at least as selective as BU, and for out-of-state applicants, often more so by a noticeable margin.