Boston University Logo
Boston University
Snapshot
Status
Private
Acceptance Rate
20%
SAT Range
1310-1500
ACT Range
30-34
Student/Faculty Ratio
18:1
Total Enrollments
32,718
Total Cost
$77,662
Net Average Cost of Attendance
$29,154
Overall Rating
B+ Good
Main Address
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215
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Rankings
Overall Rankings
Culinary, Entertainment, And Personal Services
#8 of 44
Public Administration And Social Service Professions
#16 of 980
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
#17 of 1,485
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
#18 of 1,112
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies
#27 of 518
Psychology
#29 of 1,513
Philosophy And Religious Studies
#33 of 973
English Language And Literature/Letters
#33 of 1,360
Overall Scores
A+
Admissions & Acceptance
A+
Retention & Graduation
A
Instructors & Faculty
B
Financial Resources

Read more about our ranking methodology.

Summary
What makes Boston University unique?

Boston University, or BU, is a private institution that was founded in 1839 in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 35,000 students who attend classes on a campus that runs along Commonwealth Avenue and the Boston metro rail or “The T,” which provides excellent transportation for students, faculty, and visitors. BU is on a semester-based academic calendar, and the university provides ample merit and need-based scholarships

BU is made up of 15 colleges including the competitive Questrom School of Business and the Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine. Students get to choose from a variety of housing options both on and off-campus, with a majority of undergraduates staying in the iconic Warren Towers and the campus brownstones. 

BU offers small, intimate classes and boasts a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. BU provides current students with over 70 study abroad options through their many globally-partnered institutions. Beyond academics, BU students can explore historic Boston and stop by Faneuil Hall, picnic in the Boston Common, or visit local rivals Harvard or Boston College. Notable alumni include Bill O’Reilly, actress Julianne Moore, and radio host Howard Stern.

Contact Info
Contact & Location
Phone Number
(617) 353-2000
Website
www.bu.edu
Location
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215
Setting
Large City
Key Info, Costs & Aid
Selectivity
Acceptance Rate (2020)
Completion Rate (2020)
Student Body
Total Enrollments (2020) 32,718
Women 58%
Men 42%
Total Enrollments (2020) 32,718
White 38%
International (Non-Citizen) 25%
Asian 14%
Hispanic or Latino 9%
Unknown 6%
Black or African American 4%
Multiracial 3%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0%
Native American 0%
Costs
In State Tuition (2020)
$56,854
Out of State Tuition (2020)
$56,854
Books
$1,000
On Campus Room & Board
$16,640

* These statistics utilize the most recently released data from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System)

Degree Overview
Degrees
Total Awards (2020) 13,913
Master's 47%
Bachelor's 40%
Doctoral 9%
Certificate 4%
Total Awards (2020) 13,913
Business 17%
Mathematics and Science 14%
Human and Social Sciences 14%
Healthcare 14%
Engineering 11%
Education and Liberal Arts 7%
Computer Technology 7%
Communication and Media 7%
Legal and Law 5%
Art and Design 3%
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Sources for school statistics and data include U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Find Online Schools
Accreditation
Accreditation
Accredited By
New England Commission of Higher Education
Specialized Accreditations
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Didactic Program in Dietetics
American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
  • Law (LAW) - Professional schools
American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation
  • Predoctoral (Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine)
  • Dental Public Health
  • Endodontics
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS)
  • Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Periodontics
  • Prosthodontics (including maxillofacial prosthetics and combined prosthodontics/maxillofacial prosthetics)
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Fellowship (Clinical Fellowship - Oncology)
American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
  • Occupational Therapy (OTD) - Programs leading to a Doctoral Degree
American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
  • Physical Therapy (PT) - Professional programs for the physical therapist
American Psychological Association, Commission on Accreditation
  • Clinical Psychology (CLPSY) - PhD Doctoral programs
  • Counseling Psychology (COPSY) - PhD Doctoral programs
  • Professional Psychology (IPSY) - Predoctoral internship programs (Danielsen Institute at Boston University Psychology Internship)
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
  • Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) - Graduate degree programs
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
  • Health Services Administration (HSA) - Graduate programs in health services administration
Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools
  • Theology (THEOL) - Freestanding schools, as well as programs affiliated with larger institutions, offering graduate professional education for ministry and graduate study of theology (Boston University School of Theology)
Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
  • English Language (Center for English Language and Orientation Programs (CELOP))
Council on Education for Public Health
  • Public Health (PHG) - Graduate level school of public health
Liaison Committee on Medical Education
  • Medicine (MED) - Programs leading to the M.D. degree

Source data obtained from U.S. Department of Education's Office of Post-secondary Education (OPE)

Alumni & Student Reviews
Boston University Logo
4.067325 Based on 26 Reviews
Career Preparation
B+
Students and Culture
A
Facilities
A-
Activities and Groups
A
Career Preparation

What letter grade would you give your school on how well it prepares students for a career in the real world?

3.6153846153846 Based on 9 Reviews
B+ Great

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Students and Culture

What letter grade would you give the students/culture at your school?

4.2307692307692 Based on 11 Reviews
A Excellent

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Facilities

What letter grade would you give the facilities at your school.

4.1923076923077 Based on 12 Reviews
A- Excellent

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Activities and Groups

What overall letter grade would you give the activities/groups at your school?

4.2307692307692 Based on 13 Reviews
A Excellent

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Questions & Answers
Question
What is the campus setting like?
1 Answer
Answered by: Universities.com

Boston University boasts a rich history of diversity. It was the first university to open all divisions to female students in 1872, and the campus where Martin Luther King, Jr. chose to pursue his doctoral studies in theology. The tradition continues today with attendance by 33,000 students from all U.S. states and some 140 countries. Students can explore more than 250 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs of study. Popular majors include business, management, and marketing; social sciences; communication, journalism, and related programs; health professions; and biological and biomedical sciences.

Question
How does this school prepare me for life after graduation?
1 Answer
Answered by: Universities.com

As might be expected at an urban university, students often seek internships and academic enrichment experiences in the city. True to its history – BU was one of the first schools to offer study abroad programs – the university participates in more than 400 research, service, and education programs on every continent. Such experiences help BU students prepare for life after graduation, and the school’s career center is ready to assist at every stage. A minimum of two career expos are held on campus each year, bringing a variety of employers directly to BU students. An active alumni association encourages grads to stay connected to the school, use its resources for further professional development, and network with other Terriers both online and at hundreds of social events.

Question
What do the locals in this city like to do for fun?
1 Answer
Answered by: Universities.com

From running the Boston Marathon to catching a Red Sox game to sampling every imaginable cuisine, students love to take advantage of what the city of Boston has to offer. The main campus itself, however, can be described as “a city within a city” and bustles with its own activities. (More than three-fourths of undergrads live on campus.) Whether rock climbing at the state-of-the-art FitRec Center, catching a concert at Agganis Arena, or participating in one of 500 student clubs, BU students are never bored. The university competes in NCAA Division I athletics, and students especially enjoy cheering on their nationally ranked men’s and women’s ice hockey teams. Go Terriers!