College Search
Boston University

Boston University

Boston, MA · City · 18,248 students
4
Year
Private Non-profit
City
Large (10k+)
College Website ↗Net price calculator ↗Common App ↗College Scorecard ↗
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

Boston University (BU) is a prestigious, high-energy research institution seamlessly integrated into the heart of Boston along the Charles River, renowned for its top-tier College of Communication, Questrom School of Business, and robust pre-professional programs. With an active campus culture centered along Commonwealth Avenue, undergraduates enjoy a vibrant, city-centric lifestyle, spirited Division I Terrier hockey games, and a diverse community of over 450 student organizations. What truly sets BU apart is its pioneering global footprint, featuring highly ranked study abroad opportunities in over 20 countries, and the "BU Hub," a distinctive, interdisciplinary general education curriculum that prepares students for a dynamic, modern workforce regardless of their major.

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
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

Wondering if Boston University is the right fit for you?

Scout 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
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%
4-yr on-time completion
75%
1st-yr retention
95%
Transfer-out rate
0%
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
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
Endowment
$3.5B
Classification
R1: Very High Research
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions
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 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
Get your college list →See a sample report first