Boston University
Boston University is a private, non-profit university with a heavy emphasis on research. BU’s main location is right in its name—Boston, MA—but the university has flagship locations around the world, including in London, Sydney, and Washington, DC, as well as more than 90 study abroad programs on 6 continents. Boston’s 300+ program catalogue is taught through 17 colleges, divisions, and schools, including a Division of Military Education, College of Fine Arts, and School of Global Studies. The 134-acre campus is home to a multitude of centers and institutes, including the Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future and Center for Global Health Development.
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Private
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Aware
This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Major city
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision Acceptance is binding so student must attend college if accepted. | November 1 | |
| Fall Regular Decision | January 6 | |
| Spring Regular Decision | November 1 | |
| Other | January 6 |
Admitted Student Stats
12%
Submitting ACT
23%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 33
Average SAT Composite: 1433
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
36,714
Total Number of Undergrads
18,459
Classroom Sizes
0
100
84%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
89%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
11:1
US National: 21:1Tuition, Cost & Aid
Key Financial Stats
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $65,168 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $65,168 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $18,110 |
| Books and Supplies | $1000 |
Aid & Grants
0
100
90%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
17%
Average Aid Per Year
$51,565
17%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$7,494
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$48,974
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
23%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$10,425
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$22,250
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$239
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Student Organizations
450
Size of Town
Major city
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Yes
Housing
0
100
75%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Terrirers
School Colors
scarlett and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Top 5 Cities
Boston
New York
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Washington
Employed
6 mos. after graduation
60%
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$75,900
What Students Are Saying
BU has so many resources it's almost overwhelming. Everyone is there to help you. What you learn is very relevant to the real world.
JR from Boston, MA
very prestigious, well ranked university. beautiful campus and great location. all the resources you could ever need!
elizabeth from northern virginia
The university has evolved into a community that lets you choose your future. It's definitely expensive; but coming from a lower-middle class family, it's possible. BU allows you to grow and learn academically and personally, completely at your speed.
Katherine from Joliet, IL
Boston University is an elite university that is constantly improving. It is a very expensive college but has a lot of resources for its students. Students who wish to attend should be somewhat independent and not afraid to take full advantage of the school's resources as well as the resources in the city of Boston.
Daniel from Staten Island, NY
This is a great school if you're looking for something in a very urban environment. It was not the right fit for me for numerous reasons, including the lack of a normal campus, grade deflation and lack of school spirit. It's a good school, but I don't think it's worth the expensive tuition in the end.
Anonymous from NH
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