Boston University: Statistics

Updated:

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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
Subject rankings

Quick Review

Acceptance rate
14%
Average SAT
1425
Average ACT
33
Avg. cost to attend
$27,829 /y
Aid receiving
53%
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.

Net average cost to attend
$27,829/year
Average aid awarded
$51,565
Students receiving aid
53%

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

UndergraduatesGraduates
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%
  • Full-time retention rate - 94%

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.

Publications
168,778
Citations
6,804,959

Publication / Citation count by topic

Medicine
108,027 / 4,653,808
Biology
105,128 / 4,979,865
Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
75,004 / 2,714,021
Chemistry
70,531 / 3,587,474
Computer Science
67,668 / 2,851,955
Psychology
59,014 / 2,484,411
Genetics
57,293 / 2,964,462
Engineering
56,452 / 2,344,096
Physics
55,172 / 2,266,073
Pathology
54,990 / 2,584,668
Biochemistry
50,649 / 2,831,927
Environmental Science
46,859 / 1,842,581
Psychiatry
38,502 / 1,733,244
Mathematics
37,540 / 1,595,143
Political Science
35,785 / 1,028,390
Sociology
34,865 / 1,232,382
Law
34,183 / 1,007,584
Quantum and Particle physics
33,462 / 1,330,023
Statistics
31,986 / 1,436,227
Philosophy
31,184 / 1,126,296
Surgery
30,488 / 1,170,361
Neuroscience
25,411 / 1,208,788
Geology
25,379 / 1,063,880
Organic Chemistry
25,252 / 1,193,865
Geography and Cartography
24,884 / 937,319
Business
22,190 / 747,249
Public Health
21,892 / 914,285
Economics
21,848 / 671,406
Immunology
20,923 / 1,053,426
Materials Science
20,364 / 870,870
Radiology and Nuclear medicine
18,746 / 774,445
Demography
18,519 / 814,094
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
18,195 / 745,538
History
17,972 / 599,395
Optical Engineering
17,266 / 706,781
Paleontology
17,005 / 733,433
Ecology
16,378 / 739,543
Linguistics
15,934 / 614,541
Nursing
15,573 / 521,850
Archaeology
15,147 / 560,848

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
Academic rankings

Boston University alumni

  1. Martin Luther King Jr

    Martin Luther King Jr
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1929-1968 (aged 39)
    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.

  2. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

    Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1989-.. (age 35)
    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.

  3. Marisa Tomei

    Marisa Tomei
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1964-.. (age 60)
    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).

  4. Julianne Moore

    Julianne Moore
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1960-.. (age 64)
    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.

All 100 notable alumni

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

Boston University in social media