PrivateUrbanBoston University
BU
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
Data last updated: August 29, 2026
Among the most selective in the Northeast — top graduate earnings
Boston University is a private institution in Boston with particular strength in business and biology. With an average SAT of 1473, the school attracts a competitive applicant pool.
A large campus of 17.9K undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
90% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $83,238 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $26,996.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports
History & Fun Facts
- •The university organized formal centennial observances both in 1939 and 1969.
- •In Vermont and New Hampshire On April 24–25, 1839, a group of Methodist ministers and laymen at the Old Bromfield Street Church in Boston elected to establish a Methodist theological school.
- •In 1847, the Congregational Society in Concord, New Hampshire, invited the institute to relocate to Concord and offered a disused Congregational church building with a capacity of 1200 people.
- •The institute moved in 1867 to 23 Pinkney Street in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston, and received a Massachusetts Charter as the "Boston Theological Seminary".
- •In 1869, three trustees of the "Boston Theological Institute" obtained from the Massachusetts Legislature a charter for a university by the name of "Boston University".
Source: Wikipedia
Notable Alumni
Martin Luther King Jr. '55
Civil rights leader, 1964 Nobel Peace Prize recipient
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez '11
Youngest woman ever elected to Congress
Howard Stern '76
Radio and television personality
Julianne Moore '83
Academy Award-winning actress
Gary Locke '75
First Asian American governor in continental U.S., former U.S. Secretary of Commerce
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Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1473
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Admissions
Application Platforms
Early Decision (Binding)
November 1
Decision by Mid-December
Early Decision II (Binding)
January 1
Decision by Mid-February
Regular Decision
January 5
Decision by Late March
Students are encouraged to submit scores if they believe results strengthen their application
Supplemental essays required.
Deadline Calendar
Typical Application Requirements
Decision Notifications
Transfer Admission
Fall Transfer
March 1
Spring Transfer
November 1
International Students
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Financial Aid
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
77.0%
Avg Tuition Increase
4.6%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$21,500
Academics
Research: Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) provides funding and support
Programs (308)
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
After Graduation
Top Employers
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
95%
Campus Life
BU competes in Division I as the Terriers; particularly strong in hockey
Housing & Residential Life
Housing Styles
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
137
Peer Average
92
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Estimated from MA state average + large city premium
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Getting Around
Amtrak
Boston South Station and Back Bay Station both within 2 miles
Walkability
Urban campus along Commonwealth Avenue with excellent public transit access
Visit Planning
Nearby Hotels
Plan Your Visit
Nearby Attractions
Fenway Parkwalkable
Historic home of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Common and Public Garden
America's oldest public park with swan boats and historic sites
Museum of Fine Artswalkable
One of the world's great art museums
Newbury Streetwalkable
Premier shopping and dining district in Back Bay
Days out near Boston
NewTwo or three colleges you can see in one day around Boston, from real bookable tour times.
- Merrimack College · Southern New Hampshire UniversityTwo states46 days
- Gordon College · Northeastern UniversityBig and small44 days
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst · Amherst CollegeBig and small24 days