Overview of Boston University

Boston University is a private research institution located in Boston, MA. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to choose from. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 34,657 (18,515 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 40 percent male/60 percent female
• 94 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $55,892
• Books: $1,000
• Room and Board: $16,160
• Other Expenses: $1,950
• Total Cost: $75,002

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 58 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 52 percent
  • Loans: 32 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $33,085
  • Loans: $7,067

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; and Engineering

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 94 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 84 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 88 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Field Hockey, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis

Overview of Boston University Admissions

Boston University boasts a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate. Students with good grades and good test scores are likely to be admitted. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Half of the students submit SAT scores while half submit ACT scores. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Boston University had an acceptance rate of 22%.  for every 100 students who provided applications, 22 students gained admission, making BU’s admissions process highly competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Boston University wants all applicants to submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 70% of admitted students provided SAT scores.

This admissions data reveals that most of BU’s admitted students score within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the reading and writing part, 50% of students admitted to Boston University scored between 650 and 720, and 25% scored below 650, and 25% scored over 720. On the math part, 50% of admitted students scored between 680 and 780, while 25% scored below 680, and 25% scored over 780. Applicants with an overall SAT score of 1500 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at BU.

ACT Requirements and Scores

BU wants all applicants to submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 39% of admitted students provided ACT scores.

This admissions data reveals that most of Boston University’s admitted students score within the top 7% nationally on the ACT.  50% of students admitted to BU received an overall ACT score between 30 and 33, while 25% scored over 33, and 25% scored below 30.

GPA

The average high school GPA for incoming Boston University freshmen was 3.71 in 2019. This information suggests that admitted students to BU have A and B grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Boston University, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Boston University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

University of California, Santa Barbara, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Stony Brook University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Connecticut, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of California, Davis

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Boston University, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

University of Michigan, Georgia Institute of Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Tulane University, New York University, Boston College, University of California, Los Angeles

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Boston University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Stanford University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, Cornell University, Tufts University, Duke University, Georgetown University

Applying to Boston University

Application Deadline: January 6

Undergraduate Admissions Website: https://www.bu.edu/admissions/

Undergraduate Application Link(s): https://www.bu.edu/admissions/apply/

Graduate Admissions Website: https://www.bu.edu/grad/admission-funding/graduate-admission/

Graduate Application Link(s): https://www.bu.edu/grad/admission-funding/graduate-admission/