Boston University

Private
BostonMA
City

Estimated Net Cost

(per year)
$28k

Estimated Post Grad Salary

(per year)
$68k

Return on Education

(post 4-year graduation)
Excellent
Boston University is a private university located in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 1839. Known for its extensive research opportunities and diverse student body, BU is recognized for its strong academic programs in areas such as communication, business, and the arts. The university's campus features a unique mix of historic and modern buildings, providing a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere for students.

Pros

  • Strong academic programs

  • Diverse student body

  • Located in a vibrant city

  • Excellent research opportunities

Cons

  • High tuition costs

  • Large campus size may feel overwhelming

  • Harsh winters

  • Competitive environment

Tuition and Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at Boston University: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at Boston University. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Most Recent Tuition Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at Boston University: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at Boston University. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Yearly4 years
Tuition and Fees
$65,168$260,672
Room and Board
$18,110$72,440
Books and Supplies
$1,000$4,000
Other expenses
$2,085$8,340
Sticker Price$86,363$345,452

Historical Tuition Costs

Based on historical data, in-state tuition is expected to rise by approximately $2,112 per year over the next three years, reaching $67,280 in 2024, and $69,392 in 2025, and $71,504 in 2026.

Return On Education

Investing in higher education is a pivotal step towards future prosperity. It's essential to weigh the upfront costs against the potential for increased lifetime earnings and career opportunities. Our ROEdu score aims to help you understand tuition, living expenses, and financial aid, alongside the long-term benefits of earning a degree. By making informed decisions about where and what you study, you can maximize the return on your educational investment, turning the cost of your degree into a foundation for future success and financial security.

943
Boston University stands in the premier league, positioned within the top institutions for return on education, delivering unparalleled value and setting its graduates on a path to remarkable success.

Admissions

Boston University admissions is highly selective with an acceptance rate of 14%. The application deadline can be found on the institution's website.
Admission Rate
14%
Graduation Rate
89%

Admissions Requirements

SAT Range
1350 - 1500
ACT Range
31 - 34
High School GPA

N/A

Key dates

Application Deadline
See college website
Early Decision Date
See college website
Early Action Date
See college website

Majors & Degrees

Explore the range of academic programs offered at this institution.
Sciences40 programs
Information ScienceMaster's Degree
Computer ScienceBachelor's Degree
Computer ScienceMaster's Degree
Computer ScienceDoctoral Degree – Research
Cellular BiologyMaster's Degree
Cellular BiologyDoctoral Degree – Research
MicrobiologyMaster's Degree
MicrobiologyDoctoral Degree – Research
Pathology & PhysiologyBachelor's Degree
Pathology & PhysiologyMaster's Degree
Pathology & PhysiologyDoctoral Degree – Research
Pharmacology & ToxicologyUndergraduate Certificate
Pharmacology & ToxicologyMaster's Degree
Pharmacology & ToxicologyDoctoral Degree – Research
Molecular MedicineDoctoral Degree – Research
NeuroscienceBachelor's Degree
NeuroscienceMaster's Degree
NeuroscienceDoctoral Degree – Research
Other Biomedical SciencesUndergraduate Certificate
Other Biomedical SciencesBachelor's Degree
Other Biomedical SciencesMaster's Degree
Systems ScienceMaster's Degree
AstronomyBachelor's Degree
AstronomyMaster's Degree
AstronomyDoctoral Degree – Research
GeologyBachelor's Degree
GeologyMaster's Degree
GeologyDoctoral Degree – Research
PsychologyBachelor's Degree
PsychologyMaster's Degree
PsychologyDoctoral Degree – Research
Social SciencesMaster's Degree
Social SciencesDoctoral Degree – Research
Urban StudiesBachelor's Degree
Urban StudiesMaster's Degree
Other Social SciencesUndergraduate Certificate
Other Social SciencesBachelor's Degree
Communication DisordersBachelor's Degree
Communication DisordersMaster's Degree
Communication DisordersDoctoral Degree – Research
Computer Engineering TechnicianUndergraduate Certificate
Interdisciplinary8 programs
Area StudiesUndergraduate Certificate
Area StudiesBachelor's Degree
Area StudiesMaster's Degree
Area StudiesDoctoral Degree – Research
Other InterdisciplinaryUndergraduate Certificate
Other InterdisciplinaryBachelor's Degree
Other InterdisciplinaryMaster's Degree
Other InterdisciplinaryDoctoral Degree – Research
Urban PlanningMaster's Degree
Engineering21 programs
Engineering GeneralBachelor's Degree
Biomedical EngineeringBachelor's Degree
Biomedical EngineeringMaster's Degree
Biomedical EngineeringDoctoral Degree – Research
Computer EngineeringUndergraduate Certificate
Computer EngineeringBachelor's Degree
Computer EngineeringMaster's Degree
Computer EngineeringDoctoral Degree – Research
Electrical EngineeringBachelor's Degree
Electrical EngineeringMaster's Degree
Electrical EngineeringDoctoral Degree – Research
Materials EngineeringMaster's Degree
Materials EngineeringDoctoral Degree – Research
Mechanical EngineeringBachelor's Degree
Mechanical EngineeringMaster's Degree
Mechanical EngineeringDoctoral Degree – Research
Systems EngineeringMaster's Degree
Systems EngineeringDoctoral Degree – Research
Manufacturing EngineeringMaster's Degree
Other EngineeringUndergraduate Certificate
BiotechnologyMaster's Degree
History11 programs
Historic PreservationMaster's Degree
Ancient StudiesBachelor's Degree
Ancient StudiesMaster's Degree
Ancient StudiesDoctoral Degree – Research
GeographyBachelor's Degree
GeographyMaster's Degree
GeographyDoctoral Degree – Research
HistoryBachelor's Degree
HistoryMaster's Degree
HistoryDoctoral Degree – Research
Humanities2 programs
Ethnic & Cultural StudiesUndergraduate Certificate
Ethnic & Cultural StudiesMaster's Degree
Communications7 programs
Communication & Media StudiesBachelor's Degree
JournalismBachelor's Degree
JournalismMaster's Degree
WritingUndergraduate Certificate
WritingMaster's Degree
Public AdministrationMaster's Degree
Linguistics16 programs
BroadcastingBachelor's Degree
BroadcastingMaster's Degree
BroadcastingDoctoral Degree – Research
PR & AdvertisingUndergraduate Certificate
PR & AdvertisingMaster's Degree
Bilingual EducationBachelor's Degree
Language StudiesUndergraduate Certificate
Language StudiesBachelor's Degree
Language StudiesMaster's Degree
East Asian LanguagesBachelor's Degree
Slavic LanguagesBachelor's Degree
Germanic LanguagesBachelor's Degree
Romance LanguagesBachelor's Degree
Romance LanguagesMaster's Degree
Romance LanguagesDoctoral Degree – Research
Classical LanguagesBachelor's Degree
Computers8 programs
Computer & Information ScienceUndergraduate Certificate
Software ApplicationsUndergraduate Certificate
Software ApplicationsMaster's Degree
IT ManagementUndergraduate Certificate
IT ManagementMaster's Degree
Other ITUndergraduate Certificate
Data ProcessingMaster's Degree
Culinary ArtsMaster's Degree
Hospitality3 programs
Hospitality ManagementUndergraduate Certificate
Hospitality ManagementBachelor's Degree
Hospitality ManagementMaster's Degree
Education26 programs
Education GeneralBachelor's Degree
Education GeneralMaster's Degree
Curriculum DesignMaster's Degree
Curriculum DesignDoctoral Degree – Research
Curriculum DesignDoctoral Degree – Other
Education AdministrationMaster's Degree
Education AdministrationDoctoral Degree – Research
Education AdministrationDoctoral Degree – Other
Instructional MediaDoctoral Degree – Other
Education Assessment & EvaluationUndergraduate Certificate
Special EducationBachelor's Degree
Special EducationMaster's Degree
Special EducationDoctoral Degree – Research
Special EducationDoctoral Degree – Other
Teacher TrainingBachelor's Degree
Teacher TrainingMaster's Degree
Subject-Specific TeachingUndergraduate Certificate
Subject-Specific TeachingBachelor's Degree
Subject-Specific TeachingMaster's Degree
Subject-Specific TeachingDoctoral Degree – Research
Subject-Specific TeachingDoctoral Degree – Other
ESL TeachingUndergraduate Certificate
ESL TeachingMaster's Degree
Other EducationUndergraduate Certificate
Other EducationBachelor's Degree
Social Work10 programs
School CounselingMaster's Degree
School CounselingDoctoral Degree – Research
School CounselingDoctoral Degree – Other
Human DevelopmentBachelor's Degree
Human DevelopmentMaster's Degree
Human DevelopmentDoctoral Degree – Other
Social WorkUndergraduate Certificate
Social WorkBachelor's Degree
Social WorkMaster's Degree
Social WorkDoctoral Degree – Research
Health12 programs
Nutrition ScienceBachelor's Degree
Nutrition ScienceMaster's Degree
Nutrition ScienceDoctoral Degree – Research
Health SciencesBachelor's Degree
Medical AdministrationMaster's Degree
Medical AdministrationDoctoral Degree – Research
Rehabilitation ProfessionsBachelor's Degree
Rehabilitation ProfessionsMaster's Degree
Rehabilitation ProfessionsDoctoral Degree – Research
Medical IllustrationUndergraduate Certificate
Other Health ProfessionsBachelor's Degree
Other Health ProfessionsMaster's Degree
Law3 programs
LawDoctoral Degree – Professional
Legal ResearchMaster's Degree
Other Legal StudiesUndergraduate Certificate
English5 programs
English Language & LiteratureBachelor's Degree
English Language & LiteratureDoctoral Degree – Research
Other EnglishMaster's Degree
Other EnglishDoctoral Degree – Research
Liberal ArtsBachelor's Degree
Biology11 programs
BiologyBachelor's Degree
BiologyMaster's Degree
BiologyDoctoral Degree – Research
Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyDoctoral Degree – Research
BioinformaticsMaster's Degree
BioinformaticsDoctoral Degree – Research
EcologyBachelor's Degree
EcologyMaster's Degree
EcologyDoctoral Degree – Research
Genetics2 programs
GeneticsMaster's Degree
GeneticsDoctoral Degree – Research
Mathematics10 programs
MathematicsBachelor's Degree
MathematicsMaster's Degree
MathematicsDoctoral Degree – Research
Applied MathematicsMaster's Degree
Applied MathematicsDoctoral Degree – Research
StatisticsMaster's Degree
StatisticsDoctoral Degree – Research
Other MathematicsUndergraduate Certificate
Management ScienceUndergraduate Certificate
Management ScienceMaster's Degree
Criminal Justice4 programs
Criminal JusticeUndergraduate Certificate
Criminal JusticeBachelor's Degree
Criminal JusticeMaster's Degree
Economics3 programs
EconomicsBachelor's Degree
EconomicsMaster's Degree
EconomicsDoctoral Degree – Research
Philosophy3 programs
PhilosophyBachelor's Degree
PhilosophyMaster's Degree
PhilosophyDoctoral Degree – Research
Religion8 programs
Religious StudiesBachelor's Degree
Religious StudiesMaster's Degree
Religious StudiesDoctoral Degree – Research
Biblical StudiesMaster's Degree
Religious MusicMaster's Degree
TheologyMaster's Degree
TheologyDoctoral Degree – Research
TheologyDoctoral Degree – Professional
Chemistry3 programs
ChemistryBachelor's Degree
ChemistryMaster's Degree
ChemistryDoctoral Degree – Research
Physics4 programs
PhysicsBachelor's Degree
PhysicsMaster's Degree
PhysicsDoctoral Degree – Research
Other Physical SciencesBachelor's Degree
Psychology6 programs
Experimental PsychologyBachelor's Degree
Experimental PsychologyMaster's Degree
Experimental PsychologyDoctoral Degree – Research
Clinical PsychologyBachelor's Degree
Clinical PsychologyMaster's Degree
Clinical PsychologyDoctoral Degree – Research
Government5 programs
Other Public ServicesUndergraduate Certificate
Other Public ServicesDoctoral Degree – Research
Political ScienceBachelor's Degree
Political ScienceMaster's Degree
Political ScienceDoctoral Degree – Research
Anthropology3 programs
AnthropologyBachelor's Degree
AnthropologyMaster's Degree
AnthropologyDoctoral Degree – Research
Archeology3 programs
ArchaeologyBachelor's Degree
ArchaeologyMaster's Degree
ArchaeologyDoctoral Degree – Research
International2 programs
International RelationsBachelor's Degree
International RelationsMaster's Degree
Sociology3 programs
SociologyBachelor's Degree
SociologyMaster's Degree
SociologyDoctoral Degree – Research
Arts21 programs
Visual & Performing ArtsBachelor's Degree
Applied ArtsBachelor's Degree
Applied ArtsMaster's Degree
TheatreBachelor's Degree
TheatrePost-Baccalaureate Certificate
TheatreMaster's Degree
TheatreDoctoral Degree – Other
Film & PhotographyBachelor's Degree
Film & PhotographyMaster's Degree
Fine ArtsBachelor's Degree
Fine ArtsMaster's Degree
Fine ArtsDoctoral Degree – Research
MusicUndergraduate Certificate
MusicBachelor's Degree
MusicPost-Baccalaureate Certificate
MusicMaster's Degree
MusicDoctoral Degree – Research
MusicDoctoral Degree – Other
Arts ManagementUndergraduate Certificate
Arts ManagementMaster's Degree
Other ArtsUndergraduate Certificate
Dentistry5 programs
DentistryDoctoral Degree – Professional
Advanced DentistryPost-Baccalaureate Certificate
Advanced DentistryMaster's Degree
Advanced DentistryDoctoral Degree – Research
Advanced DentistryDoctoral Degree – Other
Medical14 programs
Diagnostic Health ProfessionsBachelor's Degree
Laboratory ScienceUndergraduate Certificate
Laboratory ScienceBachelor's Degree
Medical PreparationBachelor's Degree
Medical PreparationMaster's Degree
MedicineDoctoral Degree – Professional
Graduate MedicineMaster's Degree
Graduate MedicineDoctoral Degree – Research
Mental Health ServicesUndergraduate Certificate
Mental Health ServicesMaster's Degree
Public HealthUndergraduate Certificate
Public HealthMaster's Degree
Public HealthDoctoral Degree – Research
Business12 programs
Business ManagementUndergraduate Certificate
Business ManagementBachelor's Degree
Business ManagementMaster's Degree
FinanceUndergraduate Certificate
FinanceMaster's Degree
Human ResourcesMaster's Degree
MarketingUndergraduate Certificate
MarketingMaster's Degree
InsuranceMaster's Degree
Other BusinessUndergraduate Certificate
Other BusinessMaster's Degree
Other BusinessDoctoral Degree – Research
EntrepreneurshipUndergraduate Certificate

Student Life

Learn about the community, campus culture, and experiences that shape student life at this college.

Student Breakdown

Total Enrollment3,145
Full-time Students3,145
Part-time Students0

Faculty

Faculty-Student Ratio:11:1
Full-Time FacultyN/A
Part-Time FacultyN/A

Reviews and Ratings

For complete transparency we combine scores from across the web to give you a true picture of what students think about Boston University. Additionally, we have our own score which can be used alongside these external sources.

Tuition Covered Rating
(4.4)
Niche
(3.7)
US News
(4.9)

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