Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Niche: A+
Boston University has a 12.8% acceptance rate. Boston University is a private nonprofit 4-year institution in Boston, MA, with a median SAT of 1480 and a median ACT of 33. The average net price is $24,402 per year after financial aid, and it is accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education). Data updated April 2026.
12.8%
76,779 applicants
1480
Combined score
33
Composite score
$24,402
After financial aid
Middle-50% test scores of admitted students at Boston University (25th to 75th percentile), per federal IPEDS data:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT (total, 400–1600) | 1400 | 1480 | 1530 |
| ACT (composite, 1–36) | 31 | 33 | 34 |
89.3%
94.7%
$83,238
18,248
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships at Boston University:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | $9,500 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $9,342 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $11,778 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $22,517 |
| $110,000+ | $47,504 |
| Major | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Business, Management & Marketing | 768 |
| Communication & Journalism | 598 |
| Social Sciences | 589 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 569 |
| Computer & Information Sciences | 361 |
| Engineering | 354 |
| Psychology | 313 |
| Health Professions | 236 |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 156 |
| Mathematics & Statistics | 110 |
Official website: https://www.bu.edu/
Admissions: https://www.bu.edu/admissions
Boston University has an acceptance rate of 13%. it received about 76,779 applications in a recent year; admitted students have a median SAT near 1480; the average net price is $24,402 per year. Admit Coach estimates your personal odds of admission to Boston University for free using your GPA and test scores.
Getting into Boston University is highly competitive — it admits 13% of applicants. Admitted students typically have a median SAT around 1480. Your odds depend on how your GPA and scores compare to admitted students. Admit Coach calculates your specific chance at Boston University for free and labels it a reach, target, or safety school.
Admitted students at Boston University typically have a median SAT around 1480 and a median ACT around 33. With a 13% acceptance rate, competitive applicants usually score at or above these medians. Boston University is located in Boston, MA. Enter your scores in Admit Coach to see whether you land in the reach, target, or safety range.
The average net price at Boston University is $24,402 per year after grants and scholarships. about 55% of students receive financial aid; the average grant or scholarship is $42,000 per year. Net price varies by family income — Admit Coach shows the estimate for your specific income bracket.
Boston University has a graduation rate of 89%. its first-year retention rate is 95%; median earnings 10 years after enrollment are $83,238. These federal outcome metrics let you compare Boston University against similar colleges on Admit Coach.
For the 2025–26 cycle, Boston University is test-optional, meaning you can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who do submit scores typically have a median SAT near 1480. With a 13% acceptance rate, a strong overall application matters most. Admit Coach factors Boston University's testing policy into your free admission-chance estimate.
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