How should I compare the total cost of University of Maine vs Boston University for college?

Start by assuming University of Maine will be far less expensive overall, then verify that with each school’s actual net price offer. Boston University’s published cost of attendance is much higher on tuition and living costs, and being in Boston usually adds more day-to-day spending than living in Orono. The real comparison is not sticker price versus sticker price, but each school’s full annual cost minus grants and scholarships, plus what you would actually borrow.

First, build the same cost worksheet for both schools: tuition, mandatory fees, housing, meal plan, books, health insurance if required, travel, and personal expenses. For BU, pay close attention to city-related costs such as transportation and off-campus food spending, because those can creep above the school’s estimate. For Maine, check whether your residency status changes tuition a lot, since in-state versus out-of-state can make a major difference.

Next, compare aid by separating gift aid from self-help aid. Grants and scholarships reduce the bill; loans and work-study do not reduce the true cost, they just change how you pay. If BU gives a larger scholarship but still leaves you with a much bigger family contribution or loan package than Maine, then it is still more expensive in practical terms.

Finally, compare four-year cost, not just first-year cost. Include the total debt at graduation. If one option leaves your family paying substantially less each year and keeps borrowing modest, that is the financially safer choice even if the other school feels more prestigious.