Overview
Boston University is a highly selective private four-year institution in Boston, Massachusetts. The school accepts 14.4% of applicants and enrolls 17,850 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 14.4%
- Average SAT
- 1,425
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,350–1,500
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 33
- Total Enrollment
- 17,850
Your Chances by SAT Score
Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.
Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.
Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.
Admission Guide
Boston University admissions officers care most about intellectual risk-taking and how you'll contribute to their urban campus culture. Your essays should show genuine engagement with Boston as a learning laboratory, not just mention the city as a perk.
BU operates differently from peer schools because each of its 17 schools and colleges has distinct admission requirements and cultures. The College of General Studies offers a two-year liberal arts foundation before you transfer internally to your intended major, while the Questrom School of Business requires a separate application with business-focused supplements. Engineering applicants compete within a smaller, more specialized pool.
Reference specific BU traditions like the Head of the Charles Regatta, where students line the river regardless of rowing interest, or the university's co-op program that places students in real Boston workplaces. Mention professors who are practitioners in their fields, taking advantage of Boston's concentration of hospitals, tech companies, and cultural institutions.
Your biggest misstep would be treating BU as a safety for Ivy League schools or assuming it lacks academic prestige because of its larger size. BU's research opportunities rival those at much smaller elite institutions, and the school actively recruits students who want to engage with faculty research from freshman year.
The application process rewards early decision candidates significantly, but apply ED only if you're certain about your intended school within BU. You cannot easily switch between the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering after admission. Each school reads applications with different priorities: CAS wants intellectual breadth, while ENG focuses on quantitative preparation and research potential.
Don't write generically about Boston's history or BU's size. Instead, connect specific academic programs to your goals. If you're interested in biomedical engineering, mention BU's partnerships with nearby hospitals. For computer science, reference the university's quantum computing research or its connections to Boston's growing tech scene.
Your supplements should reflect genuine research about your intended school within BU and demonstrate understanding of how Boston improves your academic interests beyond tourist attractions.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $26,996/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $65,168
- Students Receiving Aid
- 18%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 90.0%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $83,238/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 94.5%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Boston University require SAT or ACT scores?
Boston University is test-optional for most programs. Students can choose whether to submit standardized test scores as part of their application.
When is the application deadline for Boston University?
Boston University offers Early Decision with a November 1 deadline and Regular Decision with a January 4 deadline. Early Decision is binding.
What GPA do you need to get into Boston University?
Boston University does not publish a minimum GPA requirement. The school uses a holistic review process that considers academic performance alongside other factors.
Can you transfer to Boston University as a sophomore?
Boston University accepts transfer students for fall and spring admission. Transfer applicants must have completed at least 12 college credits by the time of enrollment.