Boston University Overview

Boston University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Boston, MA. It has an enrollment of 17,501 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 18.65%.

The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $26,170. Tuition is $59,816.00 without financial aid.

Boston University is a predominantly bachelor’s-degree granting school.

At Boston University, 93.86% of students return after freshman year (national average: 68%).

Boston University has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.

Boston University Website

Boston University Admissions

For the incoming class in 2023, the acceptance rate was 18.65%.

SAT or ACT scores are considered but not required.

• The average SAT score was 1447.0 for the incoming class of 2023.
• The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

Boston University Cost

The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $26,170.

The average tuition is:

• $11,832, when family income is less than $30,000

• $8,835, when family income is between $30,001 and $48,000 

• $15,046, when family income is between $48,001 and $75,000

• $23,922, when family income is between $75,001 and $110,000

• $46,244, when family income is more than $110,000 

The average tuition shown here is based on the NET costs to students who receive financial aid. For the incoming class of 2023, 26.15% of students received a federal student loan and 17.28% of students received a Pell Grant.

Tuition is $59,816.00 without financial aid.

Boston University Net Price Calculator

Boston University Majors/Salaries

Boston University has academic offerings within the core majors listed below.  

Please note that different schools classify majors differently, so it is best to view the school’s website to see the various programs it offers. See detailed information about the individual majors at Boston University here.

Recent Graduate Salaries

(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

• Area Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,851
• Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,620
• Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
• Journalism. (Master’s Degree) – $44,468
• Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,131
• Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. (Master’s Degree) – $45,500
• Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. (Master’s Degree) – $58,479
• Information Science/Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $102,306
• Computer Science. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $84,994
• Computer Science. (Master’s Degree) – $110,878
• Culinary Arts and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $42,682
• Education, General. (Master’s Degree) – $43,426
• Curriculum and Instruction. (Master’s Degree) – $59,948
• Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $56,641
• Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,606
• Special Education and Teaching. (Master’s Degree) – $49,618
• Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Master’s Degree) – $46,087
• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,469
• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $46,589
• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Master’s Degree) – $51,769
• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Doctoral Degree) – $71,957
• Biomedical/Medical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $67,660
• Biomedical/Medical Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $67,660
• Computer Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $82,440
• Computer Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $106,421
• Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $70,829
• Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $88,861
• Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $68,858
• Mechanical Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $83,848
• Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,839
• Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
• Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,704
• Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $45,539
• Law. (First Professional Degree) – $92,743
• Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $96,829
• English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,013
• Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,391
• Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,348
• Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology. (Master’s Degree) – $64,281
• Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,598
• Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology. (Master’s Degree) – $55,383
• Neurobiology and Neurosciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,728
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other. (Master’s Degree) – $34,298
• Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,260
• Applied Mathematics. (Master’s Degree) – $97,071
• Nutrition Sciences. (Master’s Degree) – $52,941
• Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $49,683
• Philosophy. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,353
• Theological and Ministerial Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $27,439
• Theological and Ministerial Studies. (Doctoral Degree) – $69,783
• Theological and Ministerial Studies. (First Professional Degree) – $40,017
• Chemistry. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,342
• Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,348
• Psychology, General. (Master’s Degree) – $39,927
• Research and Experimental Psychology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,018
• Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,726
• Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Master’s Degree) – $43,798
• Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Master’s Degree) – $48,703
• Security Science and Technology. (Master’s Degree) – $49,937
• Public Administration. (Master’s Degree) – $79,389
• Social Work. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,009
• Social Work. (Master’s Degree) – $50,336
• Social Sciences, General. (Master’s Degree) – $57,318
• Anthropology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,615
• Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $53,454
• International Relations and National Security Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,797
• International Relations and National Security Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $49,840
• Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,721
• Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,309
• Social Sciences, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,696
• Visual and Performing Arts, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
• Design and Applied Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
• Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
• Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Master’s Degree) – $41,193
• Film/Video and Photographic Arts. (Master’s Degree) – $32,569
• Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,967
• Fine and Studio Arts. (Master’s Degree) – $30,228
• Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,281
• Music. (Post-baccalaureate Certificate) – $30,771
• Music. (Master’s Degree) – $33,382
• Music. (Doctoral Degree) – $38,289
• Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. (Master’s Degree) – $47,260
• Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,653
• Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
• Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $59,576
• Dentistry. (First Professional Degree) – $125,611
• Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. (Graduate/Professional Certificate) – $190,536
• Health and Medical Administrative Services. (Master’s Degree) – $63,681
• Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
• Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,107
• Medicine. (First Professional Degree) – $61,734
• Public Health. (Master’s Degree) – $57,657
• Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,717
• Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $67,101
• Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Doctoral Degree) – $68,454
• Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $60,597
• Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $106,688
• Finance and Financial Management Services. (Master’s Degree) – $84,653
• Hospitality Administration/Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,650
• Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $106,421
• Marketing. (Master’s Degree) – $82,440
• Insurance. (Master’s Degree) – $97,959
• Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. (Master’s Degree) – $76,460
• History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,995

Boston University Diversity

The racial diversity of students who received financial aid at Boston University

• American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.03%
• Asian: 19.59%
• Black: 4.02%
• Hispanic: 10.75%
• Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.09%
• Non-resident alien: 22.34%
• Two or more races: 4.75%
• Unknown: 4.10%
• White: 34.34%

At Boston University, 3.07% of undergraduate students are 25 years old, or older.

Boston University Frequently Asked Questions

How is school spirit at Boston University?

Boston University has a strong school spirit and a great sense of community. There are many events and traditions throughout the year that promote school spirit, such as BU’s annual “Scarlet Key” ceremony and the “BU Dance Marathon,” which raises money for Boston Children’s Hospital. Additionally, BU’s sports teams, known as the Terriers, have a passionate following and regularly attract large crowds to their games. Overall, BU fosters a sense of pride and belonging among its students, faculty, and staff.

What are some popular extracurriculars at Boston University?

Boston University offers a wide range of extracurricular activities to students, some of the most popular ones include: 1. Student Government Association 2. Dance clubs and organizations 3. Club sports such as ultimate frisbee, soccer, and rugby 4. Community service organizations 5. Political groups and advocacy organizations 6. Music groups and organizations 7. Drama clubs and organizations 8. Greek life 9. Academic clubs and organizations like pre-med, pre-law, and neuroscience 10. Media organizations such as the student-run newspaper, radio station, and television station. There are many other extracurricular activities available at Boston University as well, catering to a wide range of interests.

How are the food choices at Boston University?

Boston University has a variety of dining options on campus, with over 20 dining locations, including cafes, restaurants, and convenience stores. The options are diverse and cater to various dietary needs, including vegan and halal options. The university also has meal plans that allow students to choose from different meal swipe options, such as unlimited or block options. Some of the popular food choices include steak, seafood, ramen, pizza, and burgers. The dining facilities are also known for their sustainability practices, with many locations implementing programs to reduce food waste and environmental impact.

Is there Greek life at Boston University?

Yes, Boston University has a vibrant Greek community. There are currently 29 recognized sororities and fraternities on campus. Greek life offers students an opportunity to socialize, network, and participate in philanthropic activities. However, it is important to note that Greek life is not for everyone, and students should carefully consider their options before joining a sorority or fraternity.

What is Boston University known for?

Boston University (BU) is a private research university that is known for its strong academic programs, particularly in the areas of business, communication, journalism, and health sciences. Some of the most popular undergraduate programs at BU include business management, psychology, and economics. BU also has a highly regarded graduate School of Law, School of Medicine, and College of Communication. Additionally, BU has a strong focus on research and innovation, with notable research programs in areas such as artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and public health. BU is also known for its vibrant student life and active campus community, with a variety of student organizations and events throughout the year.

What are the most popular school clubs at Boston University?

Boston University offers a wide variety of student organizations and clubs for its students, so there are many popular options. Some of the most popular clubs at Boston University include: 1. BU On Broadway – a student-run musical theater group that produces several shows each year. 2. BU Student Government – student leaders who advocate for a better quality of life for all BU students and plan events and activities. 3. The Daily Free Press – an independent student newspaper that covers news, sports, and culture at BU. 4. BU Outing Club – an organization for outdoor enthusiasts that organizes camping trips, hikes, and other activities. 5. BU Queer Activist Collective – a community of LGBTQ+ activists working on social justice issues. 6. BU Hillel – a vibrant student community for Jewish students that offers cultural, social, and educational programming. 7. BU Dance Theatre Group- A student run dance company that focuses on many styles of dance. These are just a few examples of the many clubs that Boston University has to offer. BU encourages its students to get involved in extracurricular activities to enhance their college experience.

Is the campus at Boston University safe?

Boston University has a relatively safe campus with a relatively low crime rate. The university has its own police department, which actively patrols the campus and surrounding areas. The university also provides emergency notification services and has installed security cameras in key locations. However, like any other urban campus, students should remain aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions, especially when traveling off-campus. Boston is a safe and welcoming city, but as with any city, it is important to be vigilant and take proactive measures to keep yourself safe.