Is Indiana University or Boston University considered more prestigious for undergrad admissions?

The biggest practical tradeoff is that Boston University is typically seen as the more selective, more nationally elite-name private university, while Indiana University is a large flagship public school with especially strong recognition in certain areas rather than the same across-the-board prestige. In everyday perception, BU usually carries more overall prestige for undergraduate admissions. IU is still very well known, but its reputation is more uneven by program and often tied to its scale as a public university.

If people are speaking broadly about national reputation and admissions selectivity, BU is the one more likely to be described as more prestigious. It tends to be grouped with highly selective private universities in major cities, and that shapes how employers, families, and students talk about it. Indiana has a strong brand too, especially in the Midwest, but it is more often viewed as an accessible flagship with standout departments than as a school with the same overall admissions cachet.

That said, Indiana can be just as impressive, or even more impressive, in specific undergraduate areas. Kelley is one of the clearest examples: for business, IU has unusually strong name recognition and can absolutely outshine BU in some conversations. The same is true in a few other specialized fields where IU has built a distinct reputation.