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Boston University

Boston University is a private campus in Boston proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. International students are a visible presence at Boston University — 21.2% of its 18,248 undergraduates come from outside the U.S.

Compare this schoolFind colleges

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23
family-income band
$11,453
family income
under $30k
$11,167
$30–48k
$13,639
$48–75k
$25,501
$75–110k
$48,018
over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$24,4022023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

$25k$30k$35k200820232008: $31,6382009: $30,9052010: $33,1312011: $36,8062012: $34,6032013: $34,5922014: $34,9102015: $34,9142016: $37,0652017: $30,7292018: $30,2592019: $30,3952020: $26,1702021: $27,7792022: $26,9962023: $24,402$24,402
$25k$30k$35k200820232008: $31,6382009: $30,9052010: $33,1312011: $36,8062012: $34,6032013: $34,5922014: $34,9102015: $34,9142016: $37,0652017: $30,7292018: $30,2592019: $30,3952020: $26,1702021: $27,7792022: $26,9962023: $24,402$24,402

Average net price at Boston University fell from $31,638 (2008) to $24,402 (2023).

Average net price — data
YearNet price
2008$31,638
2009$30,905
2010$33,131
2011$36,806
2012$34,603
2013$34,592
2014$34,910
2015$34,914
2016$37,065
2017$30,729
2018$30,259
2019$30,395
2020$26,170
2021$27,779
2022$26,996
2023$24,402
IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$86,2852024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

$50k$60k$70k$80k200920242009: $51,0542010: $53,0002011: $54,8362012: $56,8422013: $59,0362014: $61,3962015: $63,5882016: $65,8092017: $67,8792018: $70,2162019: $72,5172020: $74,9112021: $76,3892022: $79,4632023: $82,6942024: $86,285$86,285
$60k$80k200920242009: $51,0542010: $53,0002011: $54,8362012: $56,8422013: $59,0362014: $61,3962015: $63,5882016: $65,8092017: $67,8792018: $70,2162019: $72,5172020: $74,9112021: $76,3892022: $79,4632023: $82,6942024: $86,285$86,285

Total cost at Boston University rose from $51,054 (2009) to $86,285 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
YearCost
2009$51,054
2010$53,000
2011$54,836
2012$56,842
2013$59,036
2014$61,396
2015$63,588
2016$65,809
2017$67,879
2018$70,216
2019$72,517
2020$74,911
2021$76,389
2022$79,463
2023$82,694
2024$86,285
IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

$30k$40k$50k$60k200020232000: $25,0442001: $26,2282002: $27,4142003: $28,9062004: $30,4022005: $31,9662006: $33,7922007: $35,4182008: $37,0502013: $44,8802014: $46,6642015: $48,4362016: $50,2402017: $52,0822018: $53,9482019: $55,8922020: $58,0722021: $59,8162022: $62,3602023: $65,168$65,168
$40k$60k200020232000: $25,0442001: $26,2282002: $27,4142003: $28,9062004: $30,4022005: $31,9662006: $33,7922007: $35,4182008: $37,0502013: $44,8802014: $46,6642015: $48,4362016: $50,2402017: $52,0822018: $53,9482019: $55,8922020: $58,0722021: $59,8162022: $62,3602023: $65,168$65,168

Tuition & fees — data
YearTuition & fees
2000$25,044
2001$26,228
2002$27,414
2003$28,906
2004$30,402
2005$31,966
2006$33,792
2007$35,418
2008$37,050
2013$44,880
2014$46,664
2015$48,436
2016$50,240
2017$52,082
2018$53,948
2019$55,892
2020$58,072
2021$59,816
2022$62,360
2023$65,168
IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)
Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Boston University reports published tuition of $68,102 in this record. Boston University's $68,102 tuition excludes other attendance costs; aid can reduce the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Boston University reports 18,248 undergraduates. This total does not establish class sizes for a particular subject.

88.7% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Boston University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart
88.7%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

70%80%90%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 68.9%entered 1992: 68.4%entered 1993: 68.7%entered 1994: 71%entered 1995: 72.3%entered 1996: 74.8%entered 1997: 75.3%entered 1998: 74.8%entered 1999: 77.1%entered 2000: 81.3%entered 2001: 81.6%entered 2002: 80%entered 2003: 82.2%entered 2004: 82.8%entered 2005: 84.8%entered 2006: 83.9%entered 2007: 84.5%entered 2008: 84.7%entered 2009: 85.3%entered 2010: 86.5%entered 2011: 87.1%entered 2012: 88.2%entered 2013: 88.4%entered 2014: 89%entered 2015: 89.3%entered 2016: 89%entered 2017: 90%entered 2018: 88.7%88.7%
70%80%90%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 68.9%entered 1992: 68.4%entered 1993: 68.7%entered 1994: 71%entered 1995: 72.3%entered 1996: 74.8%entered 1997: 75.3%entered 1998: 74.8%entered 1999: 77.1%entered 2000: 81.3%entered 2001: 81.6%entered 2002: 80%entered 2003: 82.2%entered 2004: 82.8%entered 2005: 84.8%entered 2006: 83.9%entered 2007: 84.5%entered 2008: 84.7%entered 2009: 85.3%entered 2010: 86.5%entered 2011: 87.1%entered 2012: 88.2%entered 2013: 88.4%entered 2014: 89%entered 2015: 89.3%entered 2016: 89%entered 2017: 90%entered 2018: 88.7%88.7%

The six-year graduation rate at Boston University rose from 68.9% (entered 1991) to 88.7% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
YearGraduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort68.9%
1992 cohort68.4%
1993 cohort68.7%
1994 cohort71%
1995 cohort72.3%
1996 cohort74.8%
1997 cohort75.3%
1998 cohort74.8%
1999 cohort77.1%
2000 cohort81.3%
2001 cohort81.6%
2002 cohort80%
2003 cohort82.2%
2004 cohort82.8%
2005 cohort84.8%
2006 cohort83.9%
2007 cohort84.5%
2008 cohort84.7%
2009 cohort85.3%
2010 cohort86.5%
2011 cohort87.1%
2012 cohort88.2%
2013 cohort88.4%
2014 cohort89%
2015 cohort89.3%
2016 cohort89%
2017 cohort90%
2018 cohort88.7%
IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups
key chart
Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree
$10k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $17,114Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $22,500Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $23,000Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $25,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $26,600Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $26,686Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $25,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $25,625Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $25,000Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $25,000Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $24,848Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $23,250$23,250 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $5,320Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $6,178Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $7,556Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $8,125Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $8,125Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $14,375Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $15,069Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $8,500Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $8,500Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $10,250Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $11,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $12,000Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $12,000Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $12,000Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $12,000Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $12,000$12,000 left
$10k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $17,114Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $22,500Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $23,000Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $25,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $26,600Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $26,686Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $25,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $25,625Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $25,000Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $25,000Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $24,848Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $23,250$23,250 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $5,320Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $6,178Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $7,556Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $8,125Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $8,125Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $14,375Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $15,069Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $8,500Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $8,500Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $10,250Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $11,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $12,000Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $12,000Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $12,000Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $12,000Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $12,000$12,000 left

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
YearCompletedLeft without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)$17,114$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)$17,125$5,320
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)$17,125$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)$17,125$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)$17,125$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)$17,125$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)$17,125$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)$17,125$6,178
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)$17,125$7,556
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)$17,125$8,125
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)$17,125$8,125
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)$17,125$14,375
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)$22,500$15,069
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)$23,000$8,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)$25,000$8,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)$26,600$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)$26,686$10,250
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)$25,500$11,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)$25,625$12,000
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)$25,000$12,000
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)$25,000$12,000
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)$24,848$12,000
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)$23,250$12,000
NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15
$65,655
6 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13
$73,661
8 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11
$83,238
10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Boston University admitted 8,749 of 78,769 applicants in Fall 2024. The 11.1% rate describes that application pool.

11.1%
acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle
rate trend$65,168 tuition · 2023–2418,248 undergraduates · Fall 2024
Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024
400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1420–15301600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Boston University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Boston University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 690–750 and Math was 730–780 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1420–1530 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score25th50th75th
SAT Reading & Writing690720750
SAT Math730760780
ACT Composite323334

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Boston University received 78,769 applications and admitted 8,749 (11.1%), with 3,268 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

11.1%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

20%40%60%200120242001: 48.1%2002: 58%2003: 58%2004: 51.7%2005: 55.5%2006: 56.7%2007: 58.3%2008: 58.6%2009: 54.3%2010: 58.5%2011: 58%2012: 49.4%2013: 45.6%2014: 34.5%2015: 32.6%2016: 29.4%2017: 25.1%2018: 22.1%2019: 18.9%2020: 20.1%2021: 18.6%2022: 14.4%2023: 10.8%2024: 11.1%11.1%
20%40%60%200120242001: 48.1%2002: 58%2003: 58%2004: 51.7%2005: 55.5%2006: 56.7%2007: 58.3%2008: 58.6%2009: 54.3%2010: 58.5%2011: 58%2012: 49.4%2013: 45.6%2014: 34.5%2015: 32.6%2016: 29.4%2017: 25.1%2018: 22.1%2019: 18.9%2020: 20.1%2021: 18.6%2022: 14.4%2023: 10.8%2024: 11.1%11.1%

Boston University's admission rate fell from 48.1% to 11.1%. The rate alone cannot explain the change. This describes Fall 2001 to Fall 2024.

Acceptance rate — data
YearAcceptance rate
Fall 200148.1%
Fall 200258%
Fall 200358%
Fall 200451.7%
Fall 200555.5%
Fall 200656.7%
Fall 200758.3%
Fall 200858.6%
Fall 200954.3%
Fall 201058.5%
Fall 201158%
Fall 201249.4%
Fall 201345.6%
Fall 201434.5%
Fall 201532.6%
Fall 201629.4%
Fall 201725.1%
Fall 201822.1%
Fall 201918.9%
Fall 202020.1%
Fall 202118.6%
Fall 202214.4%
Fall 202310.8%
Fall 202411.1%
IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1420–1530Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA12001300140015002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 12102002: 12002003: 12002004: 12202005: 12102006: 11802007: 11802008: 11702009: 11802010: 11702011: 11802012: 11802013: 11802014: 11902015: 12002016: 12202017: 13002018: 13302019: 13402020: 13102021: 13602022: 13502023: 14002024: 142014202001: 13702002: 13702003: 13702004: 13802005: 13902006: 13702007: 13702008: 13702009: 13602010: 13502011: 13702012: 13702013: 13902014: 14102015: 14102016: 14202017: 14802018: 15002019: 15102020: 15002021: 15202022: 15002023: 15202024: 15301530
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA120014002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 12102002: 12002003: 12002004: 12202005: 12102006: 11802007: 11802008: 11702009: 11802010: 11702011: 11802012: 11802013: 11802014: 11902015: 12002016: 12202017: 13002018: 13302019: 13402020: 13102021: 13602022: 13502023: 14002024: 142014202001: 13702002: 13702003: 13702004: 13802005: 13902006: 13702007: 13702008: 13702009: 13602010: 13502011: 13702012: 13702013: 13902014: 14102015: 14102016: 14202017: 14802018: 15002019: 15102020: 15002021: 15202022: 15002023: 15202024: 15301530

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year25th75th
Fall 200112101370
Fall 200212001370
Fall 200312001370
Fall 200412201380
Fall 200512101390
Fall 200611801370
Fall 200711801370
Fall 200811701370
Fall 200911801360
Fall 201011701350
Fall 201111801370
Fall 201211801370
Fall 201311801390
Fall 201411901410
Fall 201512001410
Fall 201612201420
Fall 201713001480
Fall 201813301500
Fall 201913401510
Fall 202013101500
Fall 202113601520
Fall 202213501500
Fall 202314001520
Fall 202414201530
IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

32–34Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA2530200120242001: 262004: 262005: 262006: 252007: 252008: 252009: 252010: 262011: 262012: 262013: 262014: 272015: 272016: 282017: 292018: 302019: 302020: 302021: 312022: 312023: 322024: 32322001: 302004: 302005: 302006: 302007: 292008: 302009: 302010: 302011: 302012: 302013: 302014: 312015: 312016: 322017: 322018: 332019: 342020: 342021: 342022: 342023: 342024: 3434
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA2530200120242001: 262004: 262005: 262006: 252007: 252008: 252009: 252010: 262011: 262012: 262013: 262014: 272015: 272016: 282017: 292018: 302019: 302020: 302021: 312022: 312023: 322024: 32322001: 302004: 302005: 302006: 302007: 292008: 302009: 302010: 302011: 302012: 302013: 302014: 312015: 312016: 322017: 322018: 332019: 342020: 342021: 342022: 342023: 342024: 3434

ACT middle 50% — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20012630
Fall 20042630
Fall 20052630
Fall 20062530
Fall 20072529
Fall 20082530
Fall 20092530
Fall 20102630
Fall 20112630
Fall 20122630
Fall 20132630
Fall 20142731
Fall 20152731
Fall 20162832
Fall 20172932
Fall 20183033
Fall 20193034
Fall 20203034
Fall 20213134
Fall 20223134
Fall 20233234
Fall 20243234
IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

18,248Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

16k17k18k200220242002: 15,9532003: 15,7802004: 15,9532005: 16,5382006: 16,4792007: 16,6732008: 16,4742009: 16,2952010: 16,6242011: 16,5752012: 16,4662013: 16,4602014: 16,4572015: 16,4562016: 16,5122017: 16,7162018: 17,2382019: 16,8912020: 16,3592021: 17,5012022: 17,6682023: 17,8502024: 18,24818,248
16k17k18k200220242002: 15,9532003: 15,7802004: 15,9532005: 16,5382006: 16,4792007: 16,6732008: 16,4742009: 16,2952010: 16,6242011: 16,5752012: 16,4662013: 16,4602014: 16,4572015: 16,4562016: 16,5122017: 16,7162018: 17,2382019: 16,8912020: 16,3592021: 17,5012022: 17,6682023: 17,8502024: 18,24818,248

Undergraduate enrollment at Boston University rose from 15,953 (Fall 2002) to 18,248 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
YearUndergraduates
Fall 200215,953
Fall 200315,780
Fall 200415,953
Fall 200516,538
Fall 200616,479
Fall 200716,673
Fall 200816,474
Fall 200916,295
Fall 201016,624
Fall 201116,575
Fall 201216,466
Fall 201316,460
Fall 201416,457
Fall 201516,456
Fall 201616,512
Fall 201716,716
Fall 201817,238
Fall 201916,891
Fall 202016,359
Fall 202117,501
Fall 202217,668
Fall 202317,850
Fall 202418,248
IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

95%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

88%90%92%94%200220232002: 88%2003: 89%2004: 90%2005: 91%2006: 91%2007: 91%2008: 90%2009: 91%2010: 92%2011: 92%2012: 93%2013: 93%2014: 93%2015: 93%2016: 93%2017: 94%2018: 94%2019: 92%2020: 94%2021: 94%2022: 95%2023: 95%95%
88%90%93%95%200220232002: 88%2003: 89%2004: 90%2005: 91%2006: 91%2007: 91%2008: 90%2009: 91%2010: 92%2011: 92%2012: 93%2013: 93%2014: 93%2015: 93%2016: 93%2017: 94%2018: 94%2019: 92%2020: 94%2021: 94%2022: 95%2023: 95%95%

First-year retention at Boston University has held near 95% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
YearRetention
Fall 2002 cohort88%
Fall 2003 cohort89%
Fall 2004 cohort90%
Fall 2005 cohort91%
Fall 2006 cohort91%
Fall 2007 cohort91%
Fall 2008 cohort90%
Fall 2009 cohort91%
Fall 2010 cohort92%
Fall 2011 cohort92%
Fall 2012 cohort93%
Fall 2013 cohort93%
Fall 2014 cohort93%
Fall 2015 cohort93%
Fall 2016 cohort93%
Fall 2017 cohort94%
Fall 2018 cohort94%
Fall 2019 cohort92%
Fall 2020 cohort94%
Fall 2021 cohort94%
Fall 2022 cohort95%
Fall 2023 cohort95%
IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023
More about Boston University

Faculty pay at Boston University averages $199,476 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Boston University as a primarily residential campus of 18,248 undergraduates — and 94.7% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Boston University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1420–1530 — their midpoint is above the MA four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Boston University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”
key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Boston University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Boston University11.1%
Massachusetts median70.3%
National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Boston University$68,102
Massachusetts median$46,700
National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Boston University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Boston University$83,238
Massachusetts median$62,832
National median$53,781
View comparison data & dates
Boston University, Massachusetts and national reference values
Metric & basisBoston UniversityMassachusetts medianNational median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS11.1%70.3%76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid$68,102$46,700$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot$83,238$62,832$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Boston University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Boston University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 42 fields & earnings
Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer Science$136,667
Computer Engineering$135,394
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$110,622
Business Administration, Management and Operations$108,412
Biomedical/Medical Engineering$99,024
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$98,953
Economics$96,723
Mechanical Engineering$95,757
Mathematics$84,784
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other$83,413
Hospitality Administration/Management$82,302
Communication and Media Studies$80,306
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General$78,431
Design and Applied Arts$72,809
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions$72,566
Neurobiology and Neurosciences$68,888
Philosophy$68,026
International Relations and National Security Studies$66,661
Political Science and Government$66,373
Journalism$65,617
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology$64,112
Psychology, General$63,838
Sociology$63,791
Social Work$63,594
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences$62,342
Biology, General$61,610
History$59,986
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$59,858
English Language and Literature, General$58,564
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology$57,967
Special Education and Teaching$57,294
Education, General$56,556
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication$55,804
Research and Experimental Psychology$55,066
Education, Other$54,883
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$54,766
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$54,044
Anthropology$53,722
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology$51,086
Fine and Studio Arts$49,538
Music$39,426
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$39,322

These 42 fields listed for Boston University measure earnings after completion. The $83,238 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 37 additional Boston University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Boston University report?

Boston University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1420–1530 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Boston University's acceptance rate?

11.1% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 8,749 admitted from 78,769 applicants.

How much does Boston University cost?

At Boston University, tuition is $68,102. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Boston University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $83,238. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Massachusetts

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.

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