Boston University: Statistics

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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
Subject rankings

Quick Review

Acceptance rate
19%
Average SAT
1440
Average ACT
33
Avg. cost to attend
$25,852 /y
Aid receiving
58%
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.

Net average cost to attend
$25,852/year
Average aid awarded
$50,486
Students receiving aid
58%

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

UndergraduatesGraduates
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%
  • Full-time retention rate - 94%
  • Part-time retention rate - 50%

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.

Publications
196,755
Citations
8,087,746

Publication / Citation count by topic

Medicine
124,056 / 5,481,937
Biology
121,699 / 6,078,516
Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
87,188 / 2,989,182
Chemistry
81,026 / 4,526,863
Computer Science
77,470 / 3,438,912
Genetics
68,625 / 3,976,208
Psychology
67,068 / 2,786,671
Pathology
63,556 / 2,978,196
Engineering
62,850 / 2,540,336
Physics
60,971 / 2,392,306
Biochemistry
59,373 / 3,749,931
Environmental Science
53,152 / 2,000,230
Psychiatry
43,224 / 1,904,261
Mathematics
42,775 / 1,696,675
Political Science
41,742 / 1,138,676
Sociology
41,250 / 1,419,707
Law
39,513 / 1,104,345
Philosophy
36,512 / 1,176,571
Statistics
36,093 / 1,511,729
Quantum and Particle physics
36,048 / 1,353,543
Surgery
34,606 / 1,278,600
Geography and Cartography
28,363 / 960,410
Neuroscience
27,980 / 1,341,530
Geology
27,849 / 1,145,626
Organic Chemistry
27,383 / 1,341,950
Public Health
25,529 / 1,110,166
Economics
25,077 / 714,381
Business
25,050 / 785,944
Immunology
24,612 / 1,328,444
Materials Science
22,136 / 913,393
History
21,373 / 603,304
Demography
21,175 / 951,709
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
20,953 / 802,632
Radiology and Nuclear medicine
20,597 / 801,467
Paleontology
18,845 / 810,925
Ecology
18,601 / 811,416
Optical Engineering
18,393 / 704,169
Linguistics
18,317 / 659,040
Nursing
18,109 / 592,087
Archaeology
17,385 / 563,268

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
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 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.

  2. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

    Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1989-.. (age 34)
    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.

  3. Julianne Moore

    Julianne Moore
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1960-.. (age 63)
    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.

  4. Emily Deschanel

    Emily Deschanel
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1976-.. (age 47)
    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).

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 9,488
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

Boston University in social media