Boston University

Boston, MA · Private four-year · City: Large

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18,656undergraduates

11%admitted

Test-optionalSAT/ACT

$27,551average net price per year

90%graduate in 6 years

95%return for year two

Admissions

Applicants: 80,495
Admitted: 8,733
Admit rate: 11%
Admit rate, women: 10%
Admit rate, men: 12%
Admitted students who enroll: 36%
First-year students: 3,145
SAT/ACT: Test-optional
Students who sent SAT scores: 28%
SAT reading and writing (middle 50%): 680-740
SAT math (middle 50%): 720-780
Students who sent ACT scores: 10%
ACT composite (middle 50%): 32-34

What the college looks at
High school GPA	Required
High school record	Required
College-prep coursework	Required
SAT or ACT scores	Considered, not required
Recommendations	Required
Essay or personal statement	Required
Class rank	Considered, not required
Demonstrated competencies	Not considered
English proficiency test	Required
Work experience	Considered, not required
Legacy status	Not considered

Admissions office ↗Apply online ↗

Majors

124 undergraduate programs that awarded a degree or certificate last year, grouped by field. Numbers are how many were awarded.

Business, management, marketing, and related support services (8)

Business Administration and Management, General Bachelor's (713 awarded)
Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other Certificate (under 1 year) (2 awarded), Certificate (1-2 years) (17 awarded)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (26 awarded)
Finance and Financial Management Services, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (3 awarded)
Hospitality Administration/Management, General Bachelor's (43 awarded)
Hospitality Administration/Management, Other Bachelor's (12 awarded)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (5 awarded)
Marketing, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (3 awarded)

Social sciences (10)

Anthropology, General Bachelor's (1 awarded)
Archeology Bachelor's (6 awarded)
Cultural Anthropology Bachelor's (7 awarded)
Economics, General Bachelor's (237 awarded)
International Relations and Affairs Bachelor's (142 awarded)
Medical Anthropology Bachelor's (3 awarded)
Physical and Biological Anthropology Bachelor's (5 awarded)
Political Science and Government, General Bachelor's (114 awarded)
Social Sciences, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (75 awarded), Bachelor's (32 awarded)
Sociology, General Bachelor's (42 awarded)

Communication, journalism, and related programs (6)

Advertising Bachelor's (165 awarded)
Communication, General Bachelor's (50 awarded)
Journalism Bachelor's (88 awarded)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other Certificate (under 1 year) (5 awarded)
Public Relations/Image Management Bachelor's (126 awarded)
Radio and Television Bachelor's (169 awarded)

Biological and biomedical sciences (8)

Biochemistry Bachelor's (5 awarded)
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Bachelor's (53 awarded)
Biology/Biological Sciences, General Bachelor's (169 awarded)
Conservation Biology Bachelor's (17 awarded)
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography Bachelor's (25 awarded)
Molecular Biology Bachelor's (69 awarded)
Neuroscience Bachelor's (122 awarded)
Physiology, General Bachelor's (109 awarded)

Computer and information sciences and support services (6)

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (1 awarded)
Computer and Information Sciences, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (14 awarded)
Computer and Information Sciences, General Bachelor's (33 awarded)
Computer Science Bachelor's (328 awarded)
Computer Software and Media Applications, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (5 awarded)
Computer/Information Technology Services Administration and Management, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (6 awarded)

Engineering (6)

Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Bachelor's (121 awarded)
Computer Engineering, General Bachelor's (70 awarded)
Computer Engineering, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (5 awarded)
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Bachelor's (28 awarded)
Engineering Physics/Applied Physics Bachelor's (5 awarded)
Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's (130 awarded)

Psychology (1)

Psychology, General Bachelor's (313 awarded)

Health professions and related programs (7)

Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Bachelor's (12 awarded)
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician Bachelor's (3 awarded)
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Bachelor's (27 awarded)
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Bachelor's (138 awarded)
Medical Illustration and Informatics, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (5 awarded)
Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies Bachelor's (20 awarded)
Rehabilitation Science Bachelor's (36 awarded)

Visual and performing arts (16)

Acting Bachelor's (19 awarded)
Art History, Criticism and Conservation Bachelor's (22 awarded)
Art/Art Studies, General Bachelor's (4 awarded)
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, Other Certificate (under 1 year) (1 awarded)
Directing and Theatrical Production Bachelor's (6 awarded)
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General Bachelor's (20 awarded)
Film/Cinema/Media Studies Bachelor's (6 awarded)
Graphic Design Bachelor's (24 awarded)
Music Performance, General Bachelor's (18 awarded)
Music Theory and Composition Bachelor's (3 awarded)
Music, General Bachelor's (11 awarded)
Painting Bachelor's (8 awarded)
Printmaking Bachelor's (1 awarded)
Sculpture Bachelor's (1 awarded)
Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology Bachelor's (13 awarded)
Visual and Performing Arts, Other Certificate (under 1 year) (1 awarded), Certificate (1-2 years) (6 awarded)

Mathematics and statistics (2)

Computational Mathematics Bachelor's (26 awarded)
Mathematics, General Bachelor's (84 awarded)

Multi/interdisciplinary studies (6)

Ancient Studies/Civilization Bachelor's (6 awarded)
Economics and Computer Science Bachelor's (3 awarded)
Geoarcheaology Bachelor's (2 awarded)
Mathematical Economics Bachelor's (51 awarded)
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Certificate (2-4 years) (3 awarded), Bachelor's (21 awarded)
Nutrition Sciences Bachelor's (18 awarded)

Education (13)

Art Teacher Education Bachelor's (1 awarded)
Bilingual and Multilingual Education Bachelor's (1 awarded)
Early Childhood Education and Teaching Bachelor's (8 awarded)
Education, General Certificate (2-4 years) (9 awarded), Bachelor's (27 awarded)
Elementary Education and Teaching Bachelor's (7 awarded)
English/Language Arts Teacher Education Bachelor's (3 awarded)
Mathematics Teacher Education Bachelor's (1 awarded)
Music Teacher Education Bachelor's (4 awarded)
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education Bachelor's (2 awarded)
Social Studies Teacher Education Bachelor's (1 awarded)
Special Education and Teaching, General Bachelor's (7 awarded)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other Certificate (2-4 years) (6 awarded)
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (1 awarded)

English language and literature/letters (2)

English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's (43 awarded)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (28 awarded)

Physical sciences (5)

Astronomy Bachelor's (15 awarded)
Chemistry, General Bachelor's (22 awarded)
Chemistry, Other Bachelor's (3 awarded)
Physical Sciences, General Bachelor's (2 awarded)
Physics, General Bachelor's (20 awarded)

Philosophy and religious studies (3)

Philosophy Bachelor's (56 awarded)
Religion/Religious Studies Bachelor's (3 awarded)
Religion/Religious Studies, Other Certificate (2-4 years) (1 awarded)

History (1)

History, General Bachelor's (36 awarded)

Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics (8)

Chinese Language and Literature Bachelor's (3 awarded)
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General Bachelor's (3 awarded)
Comparative Literature Bachelor's (1 awarded)
French Language and Literature Bachelor's (1 awarded)
Japanese Language and Literature Bachelor's (1 awarded)
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (3 awarded), Bachelor's (3 awarded)
Linguistics Bachelor's (18 awarded)
Spanish Language and Literature Bachelor's (2 awarded)

Natural resources and conservation (1)

Environmental Science Bachelor's (31 awarded)

Homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting and related protective services (2)

Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (17 awarded)
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies Bachelor's (3 awarded)

Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies (5)

American/United States Studies/Civilization Bachelor's (2 awarded)
Area Studies, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (8 awarded), Certificate (2-4 years) (2 awarded)
Asian Studies/Civilization Bachelor's (1 awarded)
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other Certificate (2-4 years) (4 awarded)
European Studies/Civilization Bachelor's (1 awarded)

Architecture and related services (1)

Architectural History and Criticism, General Bachelor's (17 awarded)

Theology and religious vocations (2)

Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (1 awarded), Certificate (2-4 years) (5 awarded)
Theology and Religious Vocations, Other Certificate (2-4 years) (6 awarded)

Public administration and social service professions (2)

Social Work, Other Certificate (2-4 years) (6 awarded)
Youth Services/Administration Bachelor's (1 awarded)

Culinary, entertainment, and personal services (1)

Culinary Arts and Related Services, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (3 awarded)

Engineering/engineering-related technologies/technicians (1)

Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other Certificate (1-2 years) (1 awarded)

Legal professions and studies (1)

Legal Professions and Studies, Other Certificate (under 1 year) (1 awarded)

Graduate programs (164)

Actuarial Science Master's
Business Administration and Management, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other Master's
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other Master's, Doctorate (research)
Finance, General Master's
Hospitality Administration/Management, General Master's
Insurance Master's
International Marketing Master's
Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management Master's
Management Science Master's
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other Master's
Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management Master's
Taxation Master's
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences, Other Post-master's certificate
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist Master's, Doctorate (research)
Dental Public Health and Education Master's, Post-master's certificate
Dentistry Doctorate (professional)
Endodontics/Endodontology Master's, Post-master's certificate, Doctorate (research)
Environmental Health Master's, Doctorate (research)
Genetic Counseling/Counselor Master's
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Master's
Health Professions Education Master's
Health Services Administration Master's
Health/Health Care Administration/Management Master's, Doctorate (research)
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other Master's
Medical Informatics Master's
Medicine Doctorate (professional)
Occupational Therapy/Therapist Doctorate (research)
Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery Post-master's certificate
Orthodontics/Orthodontology Master's, Post-master's certificate
Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics Master's, Post-master's certificate
Periodontics/Periodontology Master's, Post-master's certificate
Physical Therapy/Therapist Doctorate (research)
Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology Master's, Post-master's certificate, Doctorate (research)
Public Health Education and Promotion Master's
Public Health, General Master's
Public Health, Other Master's
Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer Master's
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other Doctorate (research)
Artificial Intelligence Master's
Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance Master's
Computer Science Master's, Doctorate (research)
Computer Software and Media Applications, Other Master's
Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration Master's
Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician Master's
Information Science/Studies Master's
Anatomy Master's, Doctorate (research)
Bioinformatics Master's, Doctorate (research)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other Master's
Biology/Biological Sciences, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
Biostatistics Master's, Doctorate (research)
Biotechnology Master's
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology Doctorate (research)
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other Master's, Doctorate (research)
Epidemiology Master's, Doctorate (research)
Genetics, General Doctorate (research)
Molecular Biology Doctorate (research)
Neuroscience Doctorate (research)
Pathology/Experimental Pathology Master's
Pharmacology Doctorate (research)
Physiology, General Master's
Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law Master's
International Business, Trade, and Tax Law Master's
Law Doctorate (professional)
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other Master's
Programs for Foreign Lawyers Master's
Tax Law/Taxation Master's
Ancient Studies/Civilization Master's, Doctorate (research)
Business Analytics Master's
Data Science, General Master's
Financial Analytics Master's
Historic Preservation and Conservation, General Master's
Nutrition Sciences Master's
Systems Science and Theory Master's
Art Teacher Education Master's
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Master's
Curriculum and Instruction Master's, Doctorate (research)
Early Childhood Education and Teaching Master's
Education, General Doctorate (research)
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness Master's
Educational Leadership and Administration, General Master's, Post-master's certificate, Doctorate (research)
Elementary Education and Teaching Master's
English/Language Arts Teacher Education Master's
Foreign Language Teacher Education Master's
Mathematics Teacher Education Master's, Post-master's certificate
Music Teacher Education Master's, Post-master's certificate, Doctorate (research)
Reading Teacher Education Master's
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education Master's
Social Studies Teacher Education Master's, Post-master's certificate
Special Education and Teaching, General Master's, Post-master's certificate, Doctorate (research)
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor Master's
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Master's, Doctorate (research)
Computer Engineering, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Master's, Doctorate (research)
Manufacturing Engineering Master's
Materials Engineering Master's, Doctorate (research)
Mechanical Engineering Master's, Doctorate (research)
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering Master's
Systems Engineering Master's, Doctorate (research)
Education Policy Analysis Master's
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other Master's, Doctorate (research)
Social Work Master's, Doctorate (research)
Advertising Master's
Broadcast Journalism Master's
Communication, General Master's
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia Master's, Doctorate (research)
Health Communication Master's
Journalism Master's
Public Relations/Image Management Master's
Radio and Television Master's
Art History, Criticism and Conservation Master's, Doctorate (research)
Conducting Doctorate (research)
Fine and Studio Arts Management Master's
Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other Master's
Graphic Design Master's
Illustration Master's
Keyboard Instruments Master's, Doctorate (research)
Music Performance, General Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's, Doctorate (research)
Music Theory and Composition Master's, Doctorate (research)
Music, Other Post-bachelor's certificate
Musicology and Ethnomusicology Master's, Doctorate (research)
Painting Master's
Sculpture Master's
Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's
Voice and Opera Post-bachelor's certificate
Anthropology, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
Anthropology, Other Master's
Archeology Master's
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics Master's, Doctorate (research)
Forensic Anthropology Master's
International Relations and Affairs Master's
International Relations and National Security Studies, Other Master's
Political Science and Government, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
Sociology, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
Urban Studies/Affairs Master's
Financial Mathematics Master's, Doctorate (research)
Mathematics, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
Statistics, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies Master's
Forensic Science and Technology Master's
Applied Psychology Master's, Doctorate (research)
Clinical Psychology Master's
Psychology, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
Divinity/Ministry Master's, Doctorate (research)
Religious/Sacred Music Master's
Theology/Theological Studies Master's, Doctorate (research), Doctorate (professional)
Astronomy Master's, Doctorate (research)
Chemistry, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
Geology/Earth Science, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
Physics, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
Creative Writing Master's
English Language and Literature, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning Master's
Comparative Literature Master's
French Language and Literature Master's, Doctorate (research)
Linguistics Master's, Doctorate (research)
Spanish Language and Literature Master's, Doctorate (research)
Culinary Arts and Related Services, Other Master's
Philosophy Master's, Doctorate (research)
Religion/Religious Studies Master's, Doctorate (research)
History, General Master's, Doctorate (research)
Child Development Master's
Latin American Studies Master's
Regional Studies (U.S., Canadian, Foreign) Doctorate (research)

Cost and aid

Tuition and fees, in-state: $65,168
Housing and food on campus: $18,110
Books and supplies: $1,000
Other on-campus costs: $2,085
Total cost on campus, in-state: $86,363
Total cost on campus, out-of-state: $86,363
Total cost living at home: $70,103

Published prices for 2023-24.

Average net price by family income
Family income	Per year
$0-30,000	$11,453
$30,001-48,000	$11,167
$48,001-75,000	$13,639
$75,001-110,000	$25,501
Over $110,000	$48,018

Net price is the full cost minus grants and scholarships, for full-time first-year students who got aid in 2022-23.

First-year students who got any aid: 55%
Got grants or scholarships: 50%
Average grant or scholarship: $55,080
Got a grant from the college: 49%
Average grant from the college: $52,523
Undergraduates with a Pell grant: 18%
First-year students who borrowed: 21%
Average amount borrowed: $11,732

Net price calculator ↗Financial aid office ↗

Graduation

Bachelor's in 4 years: 83%
Bachelor's in 5 years: 88%
Bachelor's in 6 years: 90%
Bachelor's in 8 years: 90%
Any degree in 6 years (all students): 90%
Came back for year two: 95%

By financial aid
Pell grant students	90%
Subsidized loan, no Pell	91%
Neither	90%

Bachelor's degree within 6 years, by group
Group	Students	Graduated
Women	2,052	92%
Men	1,436	87%
Asian	580	92%
Black	150	91%
Hispanic	452	90%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	3	67% (small group)
White	1,300	89%
Two or more races	139	87%
Race unknown	120	87%
International	744	91%

Eight years after starting, all students (including part-time and transfers)
Started	Students	Earned a degree or certificate here	Enrolled at another college
Started here, full-time	3,931	90%	7%
Started here, part-time	2	50% (small group)	50%
Transferred in, full-time	678	87%	8%
Transferred in, part-time	92	42%	20%

Graduation rates follow students who started full-time for the first time in fall 2017. Groups under 20 students are marked because a few students change the rate a lot.

Students

Total students: 36,624
Undergraduates: 18,656
Full-time undergraduates: 17,899
Part-time undergraduates: 757
Graduate students: 17,968
Students per faculty member: 10 to 1
First-year students from in state: 14%
From out of state: 61%
From other countries: 26%
Undergraduates age 25 and up: 3%
Undergraduates taking all classes online: 1%

Undergraduates
Women	58%
American Indian or Alaska Native	0%
Asian	19%
Black	6%
Hispanic	11%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	0%
White	33%
Two or more races	4%
Race unknown	5%
International	22%

Campus life

Setting: City: Large
Address: One Silber Way, Boston, MA, 02215
County: Suffolk County
Type: Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity
Highest degree: Doctor's degree - research/scholarship and professional practice
Academic calendar: Semester
Athletics: NCAA
Teams include: basketball, baseball, cross country and track
Offers: Army ROTC, Navy ROTC, Air Force ROTC, Study abroad, Undergraduate research, Teacher certification, Weekend or evening classes, Online programs, Credit for AP exams, On-campus child care, Yellow Ribbon (veterans)

Disability services ↗

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2022-23 to 2024-25 surveys), and the College Scorecard.