Boston University: Statistics
Updated:
| Position | Category |
|---|---|
| #42 of 14,131 | In the World |
| #36 of 2,597 | In North America |
| #33 of 2,496 | In the United States |
| #3 of 88 | In Massachusetts |
| #1 of 24 | In Boston |
| #4 of 1,139 | For Military science |
| Top100 | For 131 other topics |
Quick Review
- Acceptance rate
- 14%
- Undergraduates
- 18,459
- Graduates
- 18,255
- Male:Female Ratio
- 42:58
- Control
- Private
not-for-profit - Highest Degree
- Doctor's degree
- Website
- bu.edu
Boston University Acceptance rate and admissions statistics
Boston University has an acceptance rate of 14% and is among the top 4% of the most difficult universities to gain admission to in the United States. The university reports the admission statistics without distinguishing between local and international students.
| Total | Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 14% | 16% | 13% |
| Applicants | 80,796 | 31,328 | 49,468 |
| Admissions | 11,607 | 5,061 | 6,546 |
| Freshmen enrolled full time | 3,634 | 1,475 | 2,159 |
| Freshmen enrolled part time | 1 | 1 |
1,213 students enrolled in some distance education courses.
4,044 enrolled exclusively in distance education.
SAT scores
Among admitted applicants
823 or 23%
submitted SAT
25% of them
had 1350
or below
75% of them
had 1500
or below
Typical SAT scores of first-years in Boston University are 1350-1500 (middle 50% range).
ACT scores
Among admitted applicants
448 or 12%
submitted ACT
25% of them
had 31
or below
75% of them
had 34
or below
Typical ACT scores of first-years in Boston University are 31-34 (middle 50% range).
Admissions requirements
| College-preparatory program | Required |
|---|---|
| Recommendations | Required |
| Secondary school GPA | Required |
| Secondary school record | Required |
| TOEFL | Required |
| SAT/ACT | Considered but not required |
| Secondary school rank | Considered but not required |
| Formal demonstration of competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
| Other Tests | Neither required nor recommended |
Enrollment demographics by race or ethnicity
| White | 12654 (34%) |
|---|---|
| Nonresident Alien | 10552 (29%) |
| Asian | 5418 (15%) |
| Hispanic | 3298 (9%) |
| Race or Ethnicity unknown | 1848 (5%) |
| Black or African American | 1638 (4%) |
| Two or more races | 1260 (3%) |
| Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander | 27 (0.1%) |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 6 (0%) |
Costs per year: Tuition, Housing, Fees
The average net cost to attend Boston University is $27,829 per year, calculated as the sum of the average cost of tuition, room and board, books, and supplies, reduced by the amount of average financial aid received.
The final cost of attendance varies for each student based on household income, residency, program, and other factors.
Average costs by household income
| <$30K | $10,164 |
|---|---|
| $30-48K | $9,536 |
| $48-75K | $14,838 |
| $75-110K | $24,109 |
| $110K+ | $48,841 |
Tuition and fees
| Undergraduates | Graduates | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition in-district | $61,050 | $61,050 |
| Tuition in-state | $61,050 | $61,050 |
| Tuition out-of-state | $61,050 | $61,050 |
| Fee in-district | $1,310 | $874 |
| Fee in-state | $1,310 | $874 |
| Fee out-of-state | $1,310 | $874 |
Room and board costs
| Dormitory capacity | 11,649 |
|---|---|
| Combined charge for room and board | $17,400 |
| Room charge | $11,260 |
| Meal charge | $6,140 |
Boston University majors
Boston University has granted 4,736 bachelor's degrees across 101 programs, 5,692 master's across 140 programs, and 1,151 doctorate degrees across 72 programs. Below is a table with majors that lead to degrees at Boston University.
| Major | Bachelor | Master | Doctoral |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General | 678 | 371 | |
| Computer Science | 280 | 126 | 14 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other | 349 | ||
| Psychology, General | 253 | 58 | 7 |
| Social Work | 303 | 3 | |
| Economics, General | 264 | ||
| International Relations and Affairs | 208 | 39 | |
| Law | 229 | ||
| Information Science & Studies | 225 | ||
| Mechanical Engineering | 149 | 57 | 16 |
| Radio and Television | 195 | 27 | |
| Finance, General | 216 | ||
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering | 126 | 60 | 24 |
| Dentistry | 194 | ||
| Advertising | 140 | 52 | |
| Communication, General | 129 | 58 | |
| Public Relations & Image Management | 129 | 55 | |
| Epidemiology | 168 | 13 | |
| Health Services & Allied Health & Health Sciences, General | 179 | ||
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 168 | ||
| Medicine | 164 | ||
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 129 | 34 | |
| Programs for Foreign Lawyers | 161 | ||
| Biology & Biological Sciences, General | 114 | 35 | 10 |
| Neuroscience | 140 | 16 | |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 47 | 81 | 20 |
| Health Services Administration | 147 | ||
| Political Science and Government, General | 131 | 10 | 3 |
| Journalism | 104 | 36 | |
| Mathematics, General | 121 | 10 | 7 |
| International Marketing | 137 | ||
| Criminal Justice & Safety Studies | 6 | 128 | |
| Hospitality Administration & Management, General | 64 | 68 | |
| Computer Engineering, General | 119 | 5 | 7 |
| Physiology, General | 109 | 12 | 1 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications, Other | 105 | ||
| Data Processing and Data Processing Technology & Technician | 105 | ||
| Curriculum and Instruction | 94 | 6 | |
| Music Teacher Education | 7 | 67 | 21 |
| Molecular Biology | 91 | 3 | |
| Financial Mathematics | 86 | 6 | |
| Music Performance, General | 23 | 46 | 15 |
| Health & Health Care Administration & Management | 76 | 1 | |
| Public Health Education and Promotion | 76 | ||
| English Language and Literature, General | 56 | 12 | 5 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 41 | 30 | |
| Theology & Theological Studies | 66 | 5 | |
| Audiology & Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology & Pathologist | 14 | 50 | 3 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration, General | 65 | 2 | |
| Tax Law & Taxation | 67 | ||
| Occupational Therapy & Therapist | 65 | ||
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | 50 | 12 | |
| Physical Therapy & Therapist | 61 | ||
| Multi- & Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 60 | ||
| Nutrition Sciences | 24 | 36 | |
| Statistics, General | 55 | 5 | |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 59 | ||
| Chemistry, General | 26 | 13 | 20 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other | 54 | ||
| Biostatistics | 45 | 6 | |
| Digital Communication and Media & Multimedia | 47 | 2 | |
| Philosophy | 44 | 1 | 4 |
| History, General | 41 | 3 | 3 |
| Non-Profit & Public & Organizational Management | 45 | ||
| Art Teacher Education | 44 | ||
| Clinical Psychology | 43 | ||
| Mathematical Economics | 42 | ||
| Physics, General | 22 | 12 | 8 |
| Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law | 40 | ||
| Bioinformatics | 35 | 5 | |
| Graphic Design | 23 | 17 | |
| Management Science | 39 | ||
| Materials Engineering | 32 | 7 | |
| Health & Medical Preparatory Programs, Other | 38 | ||
| Sociology, General | 33 | 5 | |
| Systems Science and Theory | 38 | ||
| Linguistics | 23 | 14 | |
| Special Education and Teaching, General | 8 | 25 | 2 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation | 15 | 14 | 5 |
| Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management | 34 | ||
| Public Health, Other | 33 | ||
| Rehabilitation Science | 33 | ||
| Pre-Medicine & Pre-Medical Studies | 31 | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | 30 | ||
| Fine and Studio Arts Management | 30 | ||
| Painting | 12 | 16 | |
| Forensic Science and Technology | 26 | ||
| Social Sciences, Other | 26 | ||
| Actuarial Science | 25 | ||
| Technical Theatre & Theatre Design and Technology | 12 | 12 | |
| Acting | 23 | ||
| Environmental Science | 23 | ||
| Elementary Education and Teaching | 13 | 9 | |
| Systems Engineering | 17 | 5 | |
| Counselor Education & School Counseling and Guidance Services | 21 | ||
| Health Communication | 20 | ||
| Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language & ESL Language Instructor | 20 | ||
| Anthropology, General | 15 | 4 | |
| Environmental Health | 16 | 3 | |
| Biotechnology | 18 | ||
| Child Development | 18 | ||
| Drama and Dramatics & Theatre Arts, General | 18 | ||
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching | 8 | 10 | |
| Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering | 18 | ||
| Reading Teacher Education | 18 | ||
| Creative Writing | 17 | ||
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 2 | 15 | |
| Anatomy | 10 | 6 | |
| Insurance | 16 | ||
| Social Studies Teacher Education | 8 | 8 | |
| Divinity & Ministry | 2 | 13 | |
| Archeology | 9 | 5 | |
| Architectural History and Criticism, General | 14 | ||
| Cell & Cellular and Molecular Biology | 14 | ||
| Conservation Biology | 14 | ||
| Culinary Arts and Related Services, Other | 14 | ||
| Periodontics & Periodontology | 9 | 5 | |
| Radiologic Technology & Science - Radiographer | 14 | ||
| Science Teacher Education & General Science Teacher Education | 4 | 10 | |
| Astronomy | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| English & Language Arts Teacher Education | 4 | 9 | |
| Manufacturing Engineering | 13 | ||
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | 4 | 9 | |
| Computational Mathematics | 12 | ||
| Music, General | 12 | ||
| Applied Psychology | 9 | 2 | |
| City & Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | 11 | ||
| Genetic Counseling & Counselor | 11 | ||
| Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 11 | ||
| Urban Studies & Affairs | 1 | 10 | |
| Data Modeling & Warehousing and Database Administration | 9 | ||
| Directing and Theatrical Production | 6 | 3 | |
| Education & Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness | 3 | 6 | |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other | 9 | ||
| Foreign Language Teacher Education | 1 | 7 | |
| Hospitality Administration & Management, Other | 8 | ||
| Music Theory and Composition | 2 | 6 | |
| Orthodontics & Orthodontology | 7 | 1 | |
| Pathology & Experimental Pathology | 8 | ||
| Religion & Religious Studies | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Comparative Literature | 1 | 6 | |
| International Relations and National Security Studies, Other | 7 | ||
| Prosthodontics & Prosthodontology | 3 | 4 | |
| Public Health, General | 7 | ||
| Forensic Anthropology | 6 | ||
| Regional Studies (U.S., Canadian, Foreign) | 6 | ||
| Spanish Language and Literature | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Ancient Studies & Civilization | 5 | ||
| Chemistry, Other | 5 | ||
| Chinese Language and Literature | 5 | ||
| Clinical & Medical Laboratory Technician | 5 | ||
| English Language and Literature & Letters, Other | 5 | ||
| French Language and Literature | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Geology & Earth Science, General | 1 | 4 | |
| Sculpture | 3 | 2 | |
| American & United States Studies & Civilization | 4 | ||
| Anthropology, Other | 4 | ||
| Athletic Training & Trainer | 4 | ||
| Cell & Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other | 3 | 1 | |
| Education Policy Analysis | 4 | ||
| Endodontics & Endodontology | 3 | 1 | |
| Japanese Language and Literature | 4 | ||
| Musicology and Ethnomusicology | 3 | 1 | |
| Pediatric Dentistry & Pedodontics | 2 | 2 | |
| Pharmacology | 4 | ||
| Youth Services & Administration | 4 | ||
| Advanced & Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences, Other | 3 | ||
| Bilingual and Multilingual Education | 3 | ||
| Historic Preservation and Conservation, General | 3 | ||
| Keyboard Instruments | 1 | 2 | |
| Asian Studies & Civilization | 2 | ||
| Film & Cinema & Media Studies | 2 | ||
| Geography | 2 | ||
| Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General | 2 | ||
| International Business, Trade, and Tax Law | 2 | ||
| Journalism, Other | 2 | ||
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, Other | 2 | ||
| Medical Science & Scientist | 2 | ||
| Near and Middle Eastern Studies | 2 | ||
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other | 2 | ||
| Religious & Sacred Music | 2 | ||
| African-American & Black Studies | 1 | ||
| Art & Art Studies, General | 1 | ||
| Conducting | 1 | ||
| Counseling Psychology | 1 | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | 1 | ||
| Dental Public Health and Education | 1 | ||
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | 1 | ||
| Education, General | 1 | ||
| Engineering Physics & Applied Physics | 1 | ||
| European Studies & Civilization | 1 | ||
| Health Professions Education | 1 | ||
| Latin American Studies | 1 | ||
| Latin Language and Literature | 1 | ||
| Medical Anthropology | 1 | ||
| Microbiology, General | 1 | ||
| Middle & Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | 1 | ||
| Pre-Dentistry Studies | 1 | ||
| Printmaking | 1 | ||
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | 1 | ||
| Russian Language and Literature | 1 | ||
| Taxation | 1 | ||
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 1 | ||
| Grand Total | 4,736 | 5,692 | 1,151 |
Boston University has a graduation rate of 89%, which is among the 5% highest for universities in the US.
| Total | Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 89% | 87% | 90% |
| |||
Publications & Citations
Boston University is a world-class research university with 168,778 scientific papers published and 6,804,959 citations received. The research profile covers a range of fields, including Medicine, Biology, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Psychology, Genetics, Engineering, Physics, and Pathology.
Publication / Citation count by topic
Annual publication & citation counts
| Year | Publications | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 1560 | 23460 |
| 1992 | 1538 | 26165 |
| 1993 | 1494 | 26290 |
| 1994 | 1701 | 28634 |
| 1995 | 1821 | 32255 |
| 1996 | 1904 | 34965 |
| 1997 | 2203 | 40559 |
| 1998 | 2303 | 46529 |
| 1999 | 2367 | 53015 |
| 2000 | 2421 | 62287 |
| 2001 | 2524 | 68988 |
| 2002 | 3179 | 82108 |
| 2003 | 3129 | 91482 |
| 2004 | 3186 | 101245 |
| 2005 | 3564 | 115558 |
| 2006 | 4001 | 134127 |
| 2007 | 4061 | 148644 |
| 2008 | 4198 | 163075 |
| 2009 | 4505 | 182739 |
| 2010 | 5033 | 204422 |
| 2011 | 5345 | 229172 |
| 2012 | 5537 | 254663 |
| 2013 | 5923 | 280777 |
| 2014 | 6136 | 300859 |
| 2015 | 6171 | 319749 |
| 2016 | 6539 | 330111 |
| 2017 | 7112 | 343174 |
| 2018 | 6778 | 370765 |
| 2019 | 7341 | 401858 |
| 2020 | 8009 | 461890 |
| 2021 | 8151 | 510957 |
| 2022 | 8618 | 506620 |
| 2023 | 8788 | 499340 |
Boston University alumni
-
Martin Luther King Jr
- Enrolled in Boston University
- 1951-1955 graduated with Doctor of Philosophy in systematic theology
- Occupations
- peace activistcivil rights advocateChristian ministerpastorhuman rights activist
- Biography
-
Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Christian minister, activist, and political philosopher who was one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. A Black church leader and a son of early civil rights activist and minister Martin Luther King Sr., King advanced civil rights for people of color in the United States through the use of nonviolent resistance and nonviolent civil disobedience against Jim Crow laws and other forms of legalized discrimination.
-
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- Enrolled in Boston University
- In 2011 studied international relations and economics
- Occupations
- bartendereducational strategistpublisherwaiterpolitical activist
- Biography
-
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also known by her initials AOC, is an American politician and activist. She has served as the U.S. representative for New York's 14th congressional district since 2019, as a member of the Democratic Party.
-
Marisa Tomei
- Occupations
- film actortelevision actoractorfilm producerstage actor
- Biography
-
Marisa Tomei is an American actress. She gained prominence for her comedic performance in My Cousin Vinny (1992), which earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She received further nominations in the category for In the Bedroom (2001) and The Wrestler (2008).
-
Julianne Moore
- Enrolled in Boston University
- In 1983 graduated with Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Occupations
- writertelevision actoractorchildren's writerstage actor
- Biography
-
Julie Anne Smith, known professionally as Julianne Moore, is an American actress. Prolific in film since the early 1990s, she is particularly known for her portrayals of emotionally troubled women in independent films, as well as for her roles in blockbusters. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Emmy Awards.
General info
| Alternative names | BU Boston U |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1869 |
| Motto | Learning, Virtue, Piety |
| Colors | scarlet, white |
| Academic calendar | September to May (September - December; January-May). Also Summer Session (May-August) |
| Total FTE staff | 9,694 |
| Carnegie classification | Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity |
Location and contacts
| Address | One Silber Way Boston, Massachusetts, 02215 United States |
|---|---|
| City population | 676,000 |
| Phone | 6173532000 |