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Boston University

Boston University

Boston, MA · City · 18,248 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 2 · Early Decision (binding) · in 31 days
Checked Oct 2026 · bu.edu
$24,402
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
89%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$83,238
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
11%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

Boston University is a premier urban research institution renowned for top-tier programs in biomedical engineering, business at the Questrom School of Business, and media and journalism within the College of Communication. Spanning along the Charles River and Commonwealth Avenue, BU offers an energetic, integrated campus environment where the city of Boston essentially functions as the student body’s classroom and quad. The university culture is defined by a globally minded and diverse student body, spirited Division I Terrier ice hockey fandom, and distinctive opportunities ranging from pioneering undergraduate research to one of the nation's most comprehensive study abroad networks.

Wikipedia:Boston University (BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. BU was founded in 1839 by a group of Boston Methodists with its original campus in Newbury, Vermont. It was chartered in Boston in 1869. The university is a member of the Association of American Universities and the Boston Consortium for Higher Education.

Location
Boston, MA, 02215 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BOS · Boston
5 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$68,102
Housing & food (on campus)$19,020
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$98,419
Average net price$24,402
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$68,102
Housing & food (on campus)$19,020
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$98,419
Average net price$24,402
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.bu.edu
How it’s made up · 2026/2027
Boston University’s own figures for 2026/2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$73,024
Fees$1,570
Housing$20,740
Books & supplies$1,000
Personal expenses$2,085
Total published by the school$98,419
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$9,500
$30–48k
$9,342
$48–75k
$11,778
$75–110k
$22,517
$110k+
$47,504
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$42,227
First-years who got one116
Source: Boston University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
89%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
75%
Back for yr 2
95%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
89% graduated · 8% transferred · 4% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$65,655
10 yrs after entry$83,238
Debt
Median at graduation$23,250
Monthly payment$246
Middle 50% owe$12.3k–$30k
90th percentile$33,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
11%
Test policy
Test optional
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1480
R 690–750 · M 730–780
ACT midpoint
33
Comp 32–34 · E 33–35 · M 29–35
SAT middle 50%: 1420–1530
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision
Nov 2 2026
binding in 31 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Regular Decision
Jan 5 2027
in 95 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Oct 2026 · bu.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Boston University: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Boston University's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Boston University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 42%Women 58%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell grant
19%
First-gen
17%
Family income
$81,244
Independent
6%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
1%
Race & ethnicity
White
32%
Hispanic
11%
Black
6%
Asian
21%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
21%
Unknown
4%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Golf
    Women's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Rowing
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$65,655
After 10 yrs
$83,238
Business Administration, Management and Operations672
Economics307
Computer Science305
Psychology, General305
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication297
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication195
International Relations and National Security Studies189
Political Science and Government162
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General155
Biology, General153
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology138
Biomedical/Medical Engineering132
Mathematics128
Mechanical Engineering124
Neurobiology and Neurosciences121
Computer Engineering99
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$3.5B
Full-time faculty
70%
Faculty salary
$16,623/mo
Teaching spend
$35,988
per student
Federal loans
23%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$784M research spending · 630 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Boston University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search