Is Arizona State or Boston University harder to get into?

Boston University is harder to get into than Arizona State. BU is widely viewed as a much more selective private university, and its applicant pool tends to include more students with very strong grades, rigorous coursework, and high academic credentials. Arizona State admits a broader range of students and is known for being more accessible, especially for applicants who meet published academic benchmarks.

For a student building a list, BU belongs in the category where even strong applicants should treat it as a reach or at least a more uncertain option. Its admissions process is also more holistic, so strong numbers alone do not guarantee admission. That means the overall bar is not just academic strength, but also how well the rest of the application comes together.

ASU fits students looking for a large public university with many entry points and a more straightforward admissions process. It still has respected programs and can be competitive in certain majors or campuses, but as a university overall, it is not considered as difficult to enter as BU.