Boston University: Statistics
| Position | Category |
|---|---|
| #32 of 14,131 | In the World |
| #28 of 2,597 | In North America |
| #26 of 2,496 | In the United States |
| #3 of 88 | In Massachusetts |
| #1 of 24 | In Boston |
| #4 of 1,014 | For Military science |
| Top100 | For 169 other topics |
Quick Review
- Acceptance rate
- 19%
- Undergraduates
- 18,229
- Graduates
- 17,875
- 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 19% and is among the top 5% 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 | 19% | 23% | 16% |
| Applicants | 75,778 | 29,240 | 46,538 |
| Admissions | 14,129 | 6,704 | 7,425 |
| Freshmen enrolled full time | 4,010 | 1,750 | 2,260 |
| Freshmen enrolled part time | 1 | 1 |
1,410 students enrolled in some distance education courses.
4,032 enrolled exclusively in distance education.
SAT scores
Among admitted applicants
1,293 or 32%
submitted SAT
25% of them
had 1360
or below
75% of them
had 1520
or below
Typical SAT scores of first-years in Boston University are 1360-1520 (middle 50% range).
ACT scores
Among admitted applicants
531 or 13%
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 rank | Required |
| Secondary school record | Required |
| TOEFL | Required |
| SAT/ACT | 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 | 13279 (37%) |
|---|---|
| Nonresident Alien | 9602 (27%) |
| Asian | 5282 (15%) |
| Hispanic | 3253 (9%) |
| Race or Ethnicity unknown | 1897 (5%) |
| Black or African American | 1500 (4%) |
| Two or more races | 1249 (3%) |
| Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander | 27 (0.1%) |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 8 (0%) |
Costs per year: Tuition, Housing, Fees
The average net cost to attend Boston University is $25,852 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 | $11,832 |
|---|---|
| $30-48K | $8,835 |
| $48-75K | $15,046 |
| $75-110K | $23,922 |
| $110K+ | $46,244 |
Tuition and fees
| Undergraduates | Graduates | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition in-district | $58,560 | $58,560 |
| Tuition in-state | $58,560 | $58,560 |
| Tuition out-of-state | $58,560 | $58,560 |
| Fee in-district | $1,256 | $858 |
| Fee in-state | $1,256 | $858 |
| Fee out-of-state | $1,256 | $858 |
Room and board costs
| Dormitory capacity | 11,356 |
|---|---|
| Combined charge for room and board | $16,840 |
| Room charge | $10,990 |
| Meal charge | $5,850 |
Boston University majors
Boston University has granted 4,532 bachelor's degrees across 95 programs, 5,148 master's across 144 programs, and 1,170 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 | 638 | 332 | |
| Communication, General | 381 | 59 | |
| Computer Science | 203 | 188 | 8 |
| Social Work | 315 | 3 | |
| Information Science & Studies | 286 | ||
| Law | 282 | ||
| Psychology, General | 223 | 35 | 12 |
| Economics, General | 252 | ||
| International Relations and Affairs | 213 | 34 | |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering | 138 | 67 | 20 |
| Radio and Television | 202 | 20 | |
| Finance, General | 214 | ||
| Mechanical Engineering | 136 | 69 | 9 |
| Health Services & Allied Health & Health Sciences, General | 212 | ||
| Dentistry | 196 | ||
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other | 194 | ||
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 149 | 22 | |
| Medicine | 167 | ||
| Curriculum and Instruction | 152 | 2 | |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 152 | ||
| Biology & Biological Sciences, General | 116 | 26 | 6 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 36 | 97 | 10 |
| Neuroscience | 130 | 1 | 11 |
| Political Science and Government, General | 124 | 12 | 5 |
| Epidemiology | 127 | 3 | |
| Journalism | 93 | 34 | |
| International Marketing | 122 | ||
| Mathematics, General | 96 | 13 | 11 |
| Computer Engineering, General | 107 | 3 | 6 |
| Physiology, General | 94 | 14 | 2 |
| Health Services Administration | 100 | ||
| Hospitality Administration & Management, General | 72 | 27 | |
| Financial Mathematics | 95 | 2 | |
| Theology & Theological Studies | 80 | 11 | |
| Health & Health Care Administration & Management | 80 | 7 | |
| Music Teacher Education | 6 | 56 | 21 |
| Advertising | 4 | 77 | |
| Educational Leadership and Administration, General | 80 | 1 | |
| Music Performance, General | 23 | 30 | 25 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications, Other | 77 | ||
| Criminal Justice & Safety Studies | 4 | 73 | |
| English Language and Literature, General | 62 | 12 | 2 |
| Multi- & Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 76 | ||
| Occupational Therapy & Therapist | 73 | ||
| Molecular Biology | 66 | 1 | |
| Public Health Education and Promotion | 64 | ||
| Physical Therapy & Therapist | 63 | ||
| Rehabilitation Science | 63 | ||
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 59 | ||
| Audiology & Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology & Pathologist | 19 | 36 | 2 |
| Public Relations & Image Management | 6 | 49 | |
| Tax Law & Taxation | 55 | ||
| Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other | 54 | ||
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | 45 | 8 | |
| Nutrition Sciences | 13 | 40 | |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 24 | 28 | |
| Graphic Design | 33 | 18 | |
| Biostatistics | 42 | 8 | |
| Statistics, General | 45 | 4 | |
| Digital Communication and Media & Multimedia | 45 | 2 | |
| Bioinformatics | 34 | 11 | |
| Chemistry, General | 22 | 9 | 14 |
| Sociology, General | 41 | 3 | |
| Elementary Education and Teaching | 21 | 22 | |
| History, General | 37 | 3 | 3 |
| Art Teacher Education | 1 | 41 | |
| Philosophy | 35 | 3 | 4 |
| Health & Medical Preparatory Programs, Other | 38 | ||
| Management Science | 37 | ||
| Materials Engineering | 32 | 5 | |
| Painting | 20 | 17 | |
| Data Processing and Data Processing Technology & Technician | 36 | ||
| Physics, General | 17 | 10 | 9 |
| Programs for Foreign Lawyers | 35 | ||
| Clinical Psychology | 34 | ||
| Special Education and Teaching, General | 9 | 25 | |
| Non-Profit & Public & Organizational Management | 32 | ||
| Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management | 31 | ||
| Forensic Science and Technology | 30 | ||
| Systems Engineering | 22 | 8 | |
| Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language & ESL Language Instructor | 30 | ||
| Technical Theatre & Theatre Design and Technology | 20 | 10 | |
| Actuarial Science | 29 | ||
| Anthropology, General | 21 | 2 | 6 |
| Fine and Studio Arts Management | 28 | ||
| Linguistics | 17 | 11 | |
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching | 16 | 11 | |
| Artificial Intelligence | 25 | ||
| Systems Science and Theory | 24 | ||
| Acting | 23 | ||
| Counselor Education & School Counseling and Guidance Services | 22 | ||
| Culinary Arts and Related Services, Other | 22 | ||
| English & Language Arts Teacher Education | 8 | 14 | |
| Drama and Dramatics & Theatre Arts, General | 21 | ||
| Public Health, Other | 20 | ||
| Applied Psychology | 15 | 4 | |
| Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law | 19 | ||
| Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 19 | ||
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 6 | 13 | |
| Pre-Medicine & Pre-Medical Studies | 19 | ||
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation | 12 | 2 | 4 |
| Creative Writing | 18 | ||
| Environmental Science | 18 | ||
| Social Sciences, Other | 18 | ||
| Astronomy | 11 | 1 | 5 |
| Biotechnology | 17 | ||
| Child Development | 17 | ||
| Clinical & Medical Laboratory Technician | 17 | ||
| Environmental Health | 12 | 5 | |
| Reading Teacher Education | 17 | ||
| Social Studies Teacher Education | 6 | 11 | |
| Counseling Psychology | 15 | 1 | |
| Athletic Training & Trainer | 15 | ||
| City & Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | 14 | ||
| Conservation Biology | 14 | ||
| Foreign Language Teacher Education | 3 | 11 | |
| Insurance | 14 | ||
| Archeology | 7 | 5 | 1 |
| Hospitality Administration & Management, Other | 13 | ||
| Manufacturing Engineering | 13 | ||
| Architectural History and Criticism, General | 12 | ||
| Cell & Cellular and Molecular Biology | 11 | ||
| Health Communication | 11 | ||
| Music Theory and Composition | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Radiologic Technology & Science - Radiographer | 11 | ||
| Science Teacher Education & General Science Teacher Education | 3 | 8 | |
| Divinity & Ministry | 1 | 9 | |
| Education & Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness | 10 | ||
| Genetic Counseling & Counselor | 10 | ||
| International Business, Trade, and Tax Law | 9 | ||
| Pharmacology | 9 | ||
| Spanish Language and Literature | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Chemistry, Other | 8 | ||
| Orthodontics & Orthodontology | 6 | 2 | |
| Public Administration | 8 | ||
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | 5 | 3 | |
| Cell & Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other | 1 | 6 | |
| International Relations and National Security Studies, Other | 7 | ||
| Regional Studies (U.S., Canadian, Foreign) | 3 | 4 | |
| Religion & Religious Studies | 1 | 6 | |
| Asian Studies & Civilization | 6 | ||
| Film & Cinema & Media Studies | 6 | ||
| Historic Preservation and Conservation, General | 6 | ||
| Japanese Language and Literature | 6 | ||
| Pathology & Experimental Pathology | 6 | ||
| Anatomy | 4 | 1 | |
| Computational Mathematics | 5 | ||
| Data Modeling & Warehousing and Database Administration | 5 | ||
| Directing and Theatrical Production | 3 | 2 | |
| Education, General | 4 | 1 | |
| Periodontics & Periodontology | 5 | ||
| Playwriting and Screenwriting | 5 | ||
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other | 5 | ||
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other | 2 | 3 | |
| Urban Studies & Affairs | 2 | 3 | |
| Youth Services & Administration | 5 | ||
| Anthropology, Other | 4 | ||
| Endodontics & Endodontology | 3 | 1 | |
| French Language and Literature | 3 | 1 | |
| Latin American Studies | 1 | 3 | |
| Prosthodontics & Prosthodontology | 1 | 3 | |
| Sculpture | 2 | 2 | |
| American & United States Studies & Civilization | 3 | ||
| Comparative Literature | 3 | ||
| Dental Public Health and Education | 2 | 1 | |
| Education Policy Analysis | 3 | ||
| European Studies & Civilization | 3 | ||
| Geology & Earth Science, General | 1 | 2 | |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, Other | 3 | ||
| Music, General | 3 | ||
| Public Health, General | 3 | ||
| Ancient Studies & Civilization | 1 | 1 | |
| Computer and Information Systems Security & Auditing & Information Assurance | 2 | ||
| Health Professions Education | 2 | ||
| Journalism, Other | 2 | ||
| Keyboard Instruments | 1 | 1 | |
| Molecular Medicine | 2 | ||
| Pediatric Dentistry & Pedodontics | 2 | ||
| Printmaking | 2 | ||
| Taxation | 2 | ||
| Banking and Financial Support Services | 1 | ||
| Bilingual and Multilingual Education | 1 | ||
| Business Statistics | 1 | ||
| Chinese Language and Literature | 1 | ||
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General | 1 | ||
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | 1 | ||
| Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics | 1 | ||
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 1 | ||
| Drama and Dance Teacher Education | 1 | ||
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other | 1 | ||
| English Language and Literature & Letters, Other | 1 | ||
| Genetics, General | 1 | ||
| Italian Studies | 1 | ||
| Medical Science & Scientist | 1 | ||
| Near and Middle Eastern Studies | 1 | ||
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | 1 | ||
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 1 | ||
| Grand Total | 4,532 | 5,148 | 1,170 |
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% | 88% | 90% |
| |||
Publications & Citations
Boston University is a world-class research university with 196,755 scientific papers published and 8,087,746 citations received. The research profile covers a range of fields, including Medicine, Biology, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Genetics, Psychology, Pathology, Engineering, and Physics.
Publication / Citation count by topic
Annual publication & citation counts
| Year | Publications | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1644 | 21897 |
| 1991 | 1620 | 23976 |
| 1992 | 1654 | 26306 |
| 1993 | 1601 | 26567 |
| 1994 | 1829 | 29293 |
| 1995 | 2052 | 33528 |
| 1996 | 2084 | 35837 |
| 1997 | 2394 | 42036 |
| 1998 | 2564 | 49152 |
| 1999 | 2600 | 56441 |
| 2000 | 2654 | 65545 |
| 2001 | 2771 | 74248 |
| 2002 | 3028 | 84255 |
| 2003 | 3162 | 96168 |
| 2004 | 3391 | 108191 |
| 2005 | 3819 | 127269 |
| 2006 | 4332 | 148735 |
| 2007 | 4442 | 164317 |
| 2008 | 4778 | 184660 |
| 2009 | 5112 | 208357 |
| 2010 | 5690 | 230677 |
| 2011 | 6186 | 262536 |
| 2012 | 6641 | 299788 |
| 2013 | 7168 | 332459 |
| 2014 | 7832 | 360787 |
| 2015 | 7882 | 390710 |
| 2016 | 8066 | 407523 |
| 2017 | 9102 | 445659 |
| 2018 | 9181 | 454648 |
| 2019 | 10610 | 528633 |
| 2020 | 11941 | 639254 |
| 2021 | 13777 | 813491 |
| 2022 | 11397 | 774609 |
Boston University alumni
-
Martin Luther King Jr
- Enrolled in Boston University
- 1951-1955 graduated with Doctor of Philosophy in systematic theology
- Occupations
- peace activisthumanitarianpoliticianpacifistwriter
- Biography
-
Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and activist 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 nonviolence and civil disobedience. Inspired by his Christian beliefs and the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi, he led targeted, nonviolent resistance against Jim Crow laws and other forms of discrimination in the United States.
-
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- Enrolled in Boston University
- In 2011 studied economics and international relations
- Occupations
- educational strategistbartenderpoliticiancommunity organizerpolitical 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. The district includes the eastern part of the Bronx, portions of north-central Queens, and Rikers Island in New York City.
-
Julianne Moore
- Enrolled in Boston University
- In 1983 graduated with Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Occupations
- television actorwriterfilm actorfilm producertelevision producer
- 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.
-
Emily Deschanel
- Occupations
- television actortelevision producerfilm produceractorfilm actor
- Biography
-
Emily Erin Deschanel is an American actress. She portrayed Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan in the Fox crime procedural series Bones (2005–2017).
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 | 9,488 |
| 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 |