Boston University
Boston, MA · City · 18,248 students
4
YearPrivate Non-profit
City
Large (10k+)
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About
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Location
Boston, MA, 02215 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BOS · Boston
5 mi away
Cost
Cost of attendance
$86,285
Avg net price
$24,402
Room & board
$19,020
Tuition
$68,102
Books & supplies
$1,000/yr
Average net price by family income
$0–30k
$9,500
$30–48k
$9,342
$48–75k
$11,778
$75–110k
$22,517
$110k+
$47,504
Admissions
Admit rate
11%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1480
Reading 690–750
Math 730–780
ACT midpoint
33
Composite 32–34
English 33–35
Math 29–35
SAT range (25th–75th percentile)
40080012001600
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Essay Requirements
Boston University accepts the Common Application. All Common App schools require the personal statement essay. Some schools also require supplemental essays — check the school's page on Common App for current prompts and word limits.
See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.
Outcomes
Graduation rate
89%
1st-yr retention
95%
Transfer-out rate
0%
Consumer completion
87%
8-year outcomes
Graduated
89%
Transferred
8%
Still enrolled
0%
Dropped out / unknown
4%
Median earnings (6yr)
$65,655
Median earnings (10yr)
$83,238
Median debt
$23,250
Monthly loan payment
$246
Debt range (25th–75th)
$12,250–$30,000
Debt (90th percentile)
$33,500
Student Body
Men 42%Women 58%
10
:1
Student : Faculty ratio
■Students ■ Faculty
Pell grant recipients
19%
First-generation
17%
Median family income
$81,244
Independent students
6%
Avg age at entry
19.0
Part-time students
1%
Race & ethnicity
White
32%
Hispanic
11%
Black
6%
Asian
21%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
21%
Unknown
4%
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings for graduates across all programs
6 years after entry
$65,655
10 years after entry
$83,238
672
307
305
305
297
195
189
162
155
153
138
132
128
124
121
99
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Endowment
$3.5B
Classification
R1: Very High Research
Full-time faculty
70%
Avg faculty salary
$16,623/mo
Instructional spend/student
$35,988
Federal loan rate
23%
🎓 Wondering if Boston University is the right fit for you?
Scout builds a personalised 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.
✅Personalised reach / match / safety list
💰Financial aid & net cost estimates
🔍Deep dives on any school
🎯Scholarship search