Boston University
Boston, MA · Large city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 11.1%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 80,495
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 8,733
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 3,145
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 36%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 10.0%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 12%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 690–750
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 730–780
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 32–34
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 28% / 10%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- not considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- not considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $86,285
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $68,102
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $68,102
- Median debt at graduation
- $23,250
- Students with federal loans
- 23%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 89%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 95%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $55,834
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $83,238
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 18,248
- Graduate students
- 18,932
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 10 : 1
- Women
- 58%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 19%
- Full-time faculty
- 70%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Melissa Gilliam
- Main phone
- (617) 353-2000
- Address
- One Silber Way, Boston, MA 02215
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 2 | December 15 |
| Early Decision II (binding) | January 5 | February 9 |
| Regular Decision | January 5 | March 28 |
- Apply with
- Common App, QuestBridge
- Application fee
- $80 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- 1 required BU supplemental essay
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 1 teacher
Testing: Test optional through fall 2028 and spring 2029 entry
Financial aid policies
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- No-loan financial aid
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: Merit scholarships available regardless of need; December 1 deadline
- Full need met without loans for domestic first-years; at least full tuition under $200,000 income
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 31.3% (2,165 of 6,907)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 16,135 / 10,393 / 479
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: bu.edu, bu.edu, bu.edu, bu.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.