Acceptance Rate
11%
Avg. SAT
1530
75th percentile
“Boston University's sprawling urban heartbeat thrusts you into Boston's professional whirlwind, blending gritty city ambition with surprising academic intimacy.”
Boston, MA
Location
Large City
Campus Setting
BU's personality pulses with pragmatic patriotism—Terriers gear everywhere, hockey banners aloft—fostering a pre-professional edge in a city that's a living resume builder, but tradeoffs hit hard: no gates to shield from Boston's blizzards or late-night sirens, and the $61,000 sticker shock demands savvy aid navigation.
Photo Gallery
+21
+13
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
Test-optional schools still weigh strong scores. Submitting can help.
Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Intellectual life buzzes with 100+ study abroad options—more destinations than most peers—yet the urban grind means fewer sleepy late-night debates; research opps abound for motivated undergrads, though grad students often snag the prime slots.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
18,805 undergrad • 18,932 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
33%
Black / African American
5%
Hispanic / Latino
9%
Asian
15%
Other / Multi-racial
37%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Boston, MA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Boston envelops you: duck into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum for heists lore or hike the Emerald Necklace trails, but winters bury sidewalks in snow, and the commuter vibe dilutes that instant bestie magic of rural campuses.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Patriot League
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
Yes
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$11,832
$30K – $48K
$8,835
$48K – $75K
$15,046
$75K – $110K
$23,922
$110K+
$46,244
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
95%
4 Years Graduation Rate
83%
6 Years Graduation Rate
88%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$83,238
95% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Boston University and return in the fall. 83% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 88% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
83%
4-5 years
5%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
11%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$61,050
Acceptance
11%
Undergrads
18,805
4-Year Grad Rate
83%
Endowment
$2.2B
Boston, MA 02215
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