Overview
Boston University, home to the first college radio station in the United States, has fostered influential alumni such as Martin Luther King Jr, Julianne Moore, and Howard Stern. Students can live in high-rise dormitories in the heart of Boston in housing called the Student Village.
There are currently 17,850 undergraduates at BU and the school’s acceptance rate is 11%. The tuition at BU is $65,168.
University
City
SupplementalEssay
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$86,363
$59,367
$26,996
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$86,363The sticker price at BU is $86,363. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at BU would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Boston University Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at BU you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for BU is 002130 and the CSS Profile Code is 3087.
The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Using State Grants at BU
Massachusetts residents who are considering BU should be sure to look into state grants to help fund your education. Massachusetts has a wide variety of programs, including the need-based tuition waiver program, the MASSGrant, the Massachusetts Gilbert Matching Student Grant Program, and MCAS Scholarships. The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, which is for students who performed well on the MCAS, offers a tuition waiver for up to eight semesters of public school.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Massachusetts scholarshipsPell Grants at Boston University
18% of students at Boston University receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at BU. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Boston University Financial Aid Resources
For more information about financial aid at BU, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.bu.edu/finaid/
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 617-353-2965
Admissions
11%
33
1413
1413 is the median SAT score and 33 is the median ACT score for admitted students at BU. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Does BU have a supplemental essay?
Yes, Boston University includes a supplemental essay in their application. Luckily, Scholarships360 has a free guide to help you answer BU's essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
BU Supplemental Essay Guide
Is BU test-optional?
Boston University is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
What test scores do you need to get into Boston University?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, or CLT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Boston University receive between a 32 and a 34 on their ACT, or a 1360 and a 1495 on their SAT.
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at BU?
Students must apply by January 4 to enroll at BU during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At BU students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 1.
You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 4.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
10:1
Graduation Rate
90%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
17%
17% of graduates
Social Sciences
15%
15% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
13%
13% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
11%
11% of graduates
Engineering
8%
8% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
7%
7% of graduates
Psychology
5%
5% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
5%
5% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
4%
4% of graduates
Mathematics
3%
3% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
3%
3% of graduates
Physical Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Education
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
17,850
Pell Grant 18%
Undergrad Students Over 25 3%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 1%
Percent Male / Female 42% / 58%
Ethnic Diversity at BU
33% White
22% International / Non-Citizen
20% Asian / Pacific Islander
11% Hispanic
6% Black
5% Multiracial
3% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$83,238
Median Debt $23,250
Debt 10 years after graduation $246
Graduation Rate 90%
What is the graduation rate at Boston University?
90% of students who start at Boston University finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 32% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Boston University go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Boston University is $83,238. This is $32,847 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Boston University who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at BU take out in loans?
Graduates of BU take out a median of $23,250 in federal student loans. This is $9,750 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent Boston University and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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