Georgetown vs. Boston University: Which Has Smaller Undergraduate Class Sizes?

Georgetown is more likely to provide the smaller undergraduate-class experience, particularly after the introductory level. Georgetown courses are more often organized around discussion-based sections rather than large lecture formats. Both universities have small seminars and larger gateway classes, but Boston University’s greater scale means students are more likely to encounter sizable lectures in popular introductory subjects.

At Georgetown, majors in the College, School of Foreign Service, McDonough School of Business, and School of Health commonly move into relatively intimate classes as students progress. Faculty interaction is also supported by the university’s compact campus and smaller undergraduate community. Large lectures can still occur in fields such as economics, biology, psychology, and some business prerequisites, so no student should expect every course to be a seminar.

Boston University offers many small classes, especially in advanced major courses, writing courses, and its smaller academic programs. However, its broad course catalog creates more high-enrollment sections, especially in introductory STEM, economics, communications, and social science courses. Discussion sections, labs, and recitations can make those courses feel more personal, but they are not identical to having a smaller main lecture.

For a student who prioritizes routine participation and easier professor familiarity across four years, Georgetown has the clearer structural advantage.