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<p>Not everyone can spend an extra $92,000 over four years for BU over UMass, nor does everyone necessarily value the extra prestige (if any), private-ness, or international reputation.</p>
<p>In terms of international prestige, BU is #54 and UMass is #64 in Times Higher Education World University Rankings ( [Top</a> 400 - The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2011-2012](<a href=“http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/top-400.html]Top”>http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/top-400.html) ), so even an extremely prestige conscious person looking at international prestige may not find BU’s premium to be worth it, if s/he will be paying list price. And there are 14 public universities (not all of which are even flagships in their state) in the US that are ranked higher than BU in that international prestige ranking.</p>
<p>However, an international student may want to consider the reputation and prestige of the school in the country or countries where s/he will be working, as the importance or lack thereof, and the relative prestige and reputation ranks of different schools, may vary from country to country.</p>