Boston University vs. James Madison University?

I love Boston University and would like to apply early decision 2 so that I have a better chance of getting and will whether or not I got in sooner. The problem is, BU is pretty expensive and although my family could afford it, they would rather I go to an instate school such as JMU (assuming I get in). While JMU is a great school, I love BU more. My parents may allow me to apply ED2 to BU if I can convince them that BU is three times as good as JMU (since it is three times the price). I know that JMU and BU are pretty different schools, but can anyone help me with some reasons for why BU is better? Mostly superficial ones regarding future success and academic rigor (don’t just tell me that it’s harder to get into BU than JMU). If it helps, I plan to study secondary education in social studies.
Thank you!

As a BU grad and a parent, it is a great school and offers leverage when applying to grad schools and jobs (after college.) Look for ways to contribute to the bottomline, such a work study/on campus jobs, if you want to ease the pain of tution for your parents. Good luck.