Is Northwestern or Boston University more selective for communication majors?

Northwestern is generally more difficult to gain admission to than Boston University, including for students interested in communication. Neither school publicly provides a reliable, current acceptance rate specifically for “communication majors,” so there is no meaningful major-by-major percentage to compare.

At Northwestern, applicants apply to one of its undergraduate schools, including the School of Communication, but admission is not simply a matter of clearing a separate communication-major cutoff. A compelling academic record, strong writing, intellectual fit, and evidence of engagement with relevant interests all matter. An applicant interested in media could show that interest through reporting, podcasting, theater, film projects, debate, research, or community communication work, but depth matters more than checking a particular activity box.

Boston University’s College of Communication is also selective and attracts many applicants seeking practical preparation in journalism, advertising, public relations, film and television, and media science. BU can be an excellent option for a student who wants communication studies in a large urban university with substantial access to Boston-based media, cultural, and professional opportunities.

For admissions planning, treat Northwestern as the more ambitious reach and BU as selective in its own right, rather than assuming that choosing communication makes either institution materially easier to enter.