Boston, MA
Boston University is a private nonprofit university with an 11.1% acceptance rate and 18,248 undergraduates. The student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1, with an 89.3% six-year graduation rate. Cost of attendance is $90,207, and the median earnings six years after enrollment are $65,655.
Boston University is a highly selective private university with an 11.1% acceptance rate and 18,248 undergraduate students. The institution maintains a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and reports an 89.3% six-year graduation rate.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 32,176 | 3,906 | 12.1% | 1,315 |
| Women | 48,314 | 4,827 | 10% | 1,830 |
Boston University admits 11.1% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Boston University's cost of attendance is $90,207 annually, while the average net price after aid is $24,402. The university enrolls 19.1% Pell grant recipients.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $246.
After aid, Boston University costs $24,402 a year — about 8% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Boston University has a 6-year graduation rate of 89.3%. Graduates earn a median of $65,655 six years after enrollment and $83,238 ten years after enrollment.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management,... | 713 |
| Computer Science | 328 |
| Psychology, General | 313 |
| Economics, General | 237 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 169 |
| Radio and Television | 169 |
| Advertising | 165 |
| International Relations and Affairs | 142 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health... | 138 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 130 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Boston University are $73,661, and 81% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Boston University students earn $65,655 — 44% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Boston University is a private nonprofit university with 18,248 undergraduates and a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. As an NCAA Division I institution without football, it competes across multiple sports with $29.8 million in athletic revenue.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
Graduate and professional students outnumber undergraduates here, which shapes class sizes, housing and campus life in ways an undergraduate figure alone doesn't show.
592 of 17,664 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
103 of 18,656 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 3,984 of 17,968 graduate students.
Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education and operates its own medical school.
Boston University spends $17,134 per student on research — about 3× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Boston University is in Boston, MA, in what IPEDS classifies as a large city setting. The campus sits about 4.7 miles from the center of Boston. There are 42 other colleges within 25 miles, and Boston, MA is 4.7 miles away.
Suffolk County scores 15.0 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 10.3% of Boston's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Boston University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Boston University reported 1 arrests and 336 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Boston University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Boston University's acceptance rate is 11.1%, making it a highly selective institution. This means admission is competitive, and applicants should demonstrate strong academic credentials and meaningful extracurricular involvement.
The total cost of attendance at Boston University is $90,207 per year, which includes tuition, fees, room, board, and other expenses. Financial aid packages vary based on individual circumstances and demonstrated need.
Yes, Boston University offers financial aid to eligible students. Approximately 19.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, indicating the university serves students across various income levels with need-based support.
Boston University has a 6-year graduation rate of 89.3%. Notably, graduation rates for Pell Grant recipients (89.0%) are comparable to non-Pell recipients (89.8%), showing strong support for all student populations.
Median earnings for BU graduates are $65,655 at six years post-enrollment and $83,238 at ten years post-enrollment. This demonstrates strong career outcomes and return on investment for BU's degree programs.
Boston University maintains a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, providing relatively close access to professors and personalized learning experiences across undergraduate programs and courses.
Boston University has an undergraduate enrollment of 18,248 students, making it a large research university with diverse academic programs and a substantial campus community.
Approximately 16.9% of Boston University's student body are first-generation college students. The university supports this population through targeted programs and resources to ensure their success.
Yes, Boston University competes in NCAA Division I across multiple sports, though the university does not have a football program. BU invests significantly in athletics with annual athletic revenue of approximately $29.8 million.
Boston University's undergraduate population is 58.1% women and includes substantial representation from first-generation students (16.9%) and Pell Grant recipients (19.1%), reflecting diversity across socioeconomic backgrounds.