Boston University
School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More
About Boston University
School Type: Private
Religious Affiliation: Not applicable
Status: Non-profit
Military Friendly: Yes
Accreditation: regional
Boston University is a large private university located on an urban campus in Boston, Massachusetts. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,656, and admissions are extremely selective, with an acceptance rate of 11%. The university offers 124 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 90%, and a student-faculty ratio of 10:1. Tuition and fees for students are $63,798.
Rankings
Learn more about how this school compares to other schools with rankings by BestColleges.
- #1 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Web Development Programs
- #3 Ranked in Best Master's in Reading Teacher Education Programs
- #3 Ranked in Best Doctorate in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Programs
- #3 Ranked in Best Doctorate in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Programs
- #3 Ranked in Best Master's in Public Relations and Image Management Programs
- #4 Ranked in Best Master's in Social Studies Teacher Education Programs
- #6 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Education Programs of 2022
- #10 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Social Work Programs for 2024
Admissions Breakdown
Acceptance Rate
Full-Time Student Retention Rate
Six-Year Graduation Rate of Full-Time, First-Time Students
Application Considerations
Test scoresNot required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High school transcriptRequired
High school rankNot required for admission, but considered if submitted
Letter of recommendationRequired
High school GPARequired to be considered for admission
Open admissionNo
Completion of college prep programRequired
Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL)Required to be considered for admission
Transfer Credit Policy
Dual enrollmentYes
Credit for qualified life experience*Implied no
Advance placement (AP) creditsYes
*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.
SAT & ACT
ACT 25th-75th Percentile32-34
SAT 25th-75th Percentile1400-1520
Learning Environment
Student Body Stats
37k
Students enrolled
14%
Online student enrollment
10:1
Student to faculty ratio
Ways Students Can Learn
Demographics
White
16%
Unknown
2%
Black
3%
Hispanic
6%
Two or more races
2%
Non-U.S. Citizen
11%
Asian
10%
American Indian/Alaska Native
0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0%
Socio-economic diversity
19% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.
Explore Similar Schools
Online Programs
Offers Online Programs
Yes
Online Programs
42
Total Online Enrollment
5,232
Student Location Breakout
Bar graph visual depicting student location breakout percentages.14% online, 86% on-campus.
Percent of Programs Online
91% On-campus
9% Online
Types of Online Programs Offered
CertificatesNot offered
AssociateNot offered
Bachelor's2% online
Graduate Certificate5% online
Master's19% online
Doctorate3% online
Student Charges
Tuition and Required Fees
| Student Level | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $63,798 | $63,798 |
| Graduate | $63,798 | $63,798 |
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Books and supplies | $1,000 |
| On-campus room and board | $18,110 |
| On-campus other expenses | $1,455 |
| Off-campus (not with family) room and board | $17,770 |
| Off-campus (not with family) other expenses | $1,455 |
| Off-campus (with family) other expenses | $1,455 |
Total Undergraduate Cost
| Total cost by category | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus | $84,363 | $84,363 |
| Off-campus without family | $84,023 | $84,023 |
| Off-campus with family | $66,253 | $66,253 |
Financial Breakdown
Students Receiving Aid
Federal Grant Aid
19%
State Grant Aid
3%
Institution Grant Aid
49%
Pell Grant
19%
Average Aid Awarded
Financial Outlook
$23k
Average student debtafter graduation
$53k
Average salary 6 years after starting school
Varsity Athletic Teams
NCAA Division I-FCS
of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.
Participation
- All Track Combined
- Basketball
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Rowing
- Soccer
- Swimming Diving
- Tennis
- Field Hockey
- Golf
- Softball
Degrees Awarded by Program
| # | Programs | BA | MA | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Architecture And Related Services. | |||
| 2 | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies. | |||
| 3 | Biological And Biomedical Sciences. | |||
| 4 | Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services. | |||
| 5 | Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs. | |||
| 6 | Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services. | |||
| 7 | Culinary, Entertainment, And Personal Services. | |||
| 8 | Education. | |||
| 9 | Engineering. | |||
| 10 | English Language And Literature/Letters. | |||
| 11 | Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences. | |||
| 12 | Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. | |||
| 13 | Health Professions And Related Programs. | |||
| 14 | History. | |||
| 15 | Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting And Related Protective Services. | |||
| 16 | Legal Professions And Studies. | |||
| 17 | Mathematics And Statistics. | |||
| 18 | Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. | |||
| 19 | Natural Resources And Conservation. | |||
| 20 | Philosophy And Religious Studies. | |||
| 21 | Physical Sciences. | |||
| 22 | Psychology. | |||
| 23 | Public Administration And Social Service Professions. | |||
| 24 | Social Sciences. | |||
| 25 | Theology And Religious Vocations. | |||
| 26 | Visual And Performing Arts. |
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Data collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and Peterson’s Data — typically from the most recently available cohort year. In the absence of this data, information was collected directly from the school and is accurate as of the date of collection. Contact the school directly for the most current and complete information.