Boston University (BU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Boston University
Set along the Charles River, students split their days between skyline views and lab benches. Boston University is known for strong work across the sciences, engineering, social sciences, the arts, communication, business, and public health. Classes often blend research, discussion, and hands-on projects. Modern labs, libraries, studios, and makerspaces support that work, along with advising, tutoring, health services, and a career center.
Campus life is busy in a good way. Clubs, service groups, student media, and theater fill late afternoons, then it's off to the fitness center or the rink. The culture feels ambitious yet welcoming, with plenty of global perspectives. Career prep leans on Boston itself, from hospitals and labs to newsrooms, courts, and startups. Hockey nights and Terrier pride add tradition. Among alumni, Martin Luther King Jr. and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stand out.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Boston University (BU) offers 227 degree programs across 27 major academic fields, graduating approximately 13,095 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (16 programs, 2,798 graduates), Computer & IT (11 programs, 1,278 graduates), Health (30 programs, 1,220 graduates), Biological Sciences (19 programs, 1,208 graduates) and Social Sciences (15 programs, 961 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (16 programs, 2,798 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 1,778 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.0201 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 250 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Master's
|
52.1399 |
| International Marketing | 195 |
|
Master's
|
52.1403 |
| Management Science | 104 |
|
Master's
|
52.1301 |
| Finance, General | 95 |
|
Master's
|
52.0801 |
| Hospitality Management | 91 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0901 |
| Business Administration and Management | 83 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Master's
Other Award
|
52.0299 |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 62 |
|
Master's
|
52.0203 |
| Nonprofit and Organizational Management | 56 |
|
Master's
|
52.0206 |
| Business and Management Services | 34 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.9999 |
| Actuarial Science | 19 |
|
Master's
|
52.1304 |
| Hospitality Management | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0999 |
| Insurance Studies | 7 |
|
Master's
|
52.1701 |
| Taxation | 6 |
|
Master's
|
52.1601 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 3 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
52.0899 |
| Marketing | 3 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
52.1499 |
Computer & IT (11 programs, 1,278 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 646 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
11.0701 |
| Data Processing Technology | 201 |
|
Master's
|
11.0301 |
| Information Science | 198 |
|
Master's
|
11.0401 |
| Software and Media Applications | 118 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Master's
|
11.0899 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 38 |
|
Master's
|
11.0102 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0101 |
| Data Modeling and Database Administration | 20 |
|
Master's
|
11.0802 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Other | 14 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11.0199 |
| Computer and Information Technology Administration and Management | 6 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11.1099 |
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 3 |
|
Master's
|
11.1003 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Other | 1 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11.9999 |
Health (30 programs, 1,220 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentistry | 214 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.0401 |
| Medicine | 154 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.1201 |
| Health Services Administration | 125 |
|
Master's
|
51.2211 |
| Public Health Education and Promotion | 92 |
|
Master's
|
51.2207 |
| Occupational Therapy | 87 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2306 |
| Health Administration and Management | 72 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.0701 |
| Physical Therapy | 62 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2308 |
| Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.0204 |
| Health Professions and Related Sciences | 52 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.9999 |
| Health and Medical Preparatory Programs | 43 |
|
Master's
|
51.1199 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2314 |
| Medical Informatics | 33 |
|
Master's
|
51.2706 |
| Public Health | 31 |
|
Master's
|
51.2299 |
| Pre-Medicine | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1102 |
| Environmental Health | 20 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2202 |
| Endodontics | 18 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.0506 |
| Periodontics | 15 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.0510 |
| Orthodontics | 14 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.0508 |
| Pediatric Dentistry | 13 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.0509 |
| Genetic Counseling | 13 |
|
Master's
|
51.1509 |
| Prosthodontics | 12 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.0511 |
| Dental Public Health and Education | 7 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.0504 |
| Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | 7 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.0599 |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics | 5 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.2799 |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | 4 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.0507 |
| Public Health | 4 |
|
Master's
|
51.2201 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 4 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2399 |
| Health Professions Education | 4 |
|
Master's
|
51.3202 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technician | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1004 |
| Radiologic Technology | 1 |
|
Master's
|
51.0911 |
Biological Sciences (19 programs, 1,208 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 224 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0101 |
| Epidemiology | 200 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1309 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences | 169 |
|
Master's
|
26.9999 |
| Neuroscience | 142 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1501 |
| General Physiology | 119 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.0901 |
| Molecular Biology | 71 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0204 |
| Biostatistics | 66 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1102 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 54 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0210 |
| Bioinformatics | 45 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1103 |
| Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1302 |
| Biotechnology | 19 |
|
Master's
|
26.1201 |
| Conservation Biology | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1307 |
| Cell and Molecular Biology | 16 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0406 |
| Cell Biology and Anatomy | 10 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0499 |
| Pathology and Experimental Pathology | 9 |
|
Master's
|
26.0910 |
| Anatomy | 8 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0403 |
| Biochemistry | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
| Genetics | 4 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0801 |
| Pharmacology | 4 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1001 |
Social Sciences (15 programs, 961 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 264 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| International Relations | 197 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0901 |
| Political Science and Government | 152 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1001 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 121 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0603 |
| Social Sciences | 108 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
45.9999 |
| Sociology | 53 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1101 |
| Archaeology | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0301 |
| Urban Studies and Affairs | 11 |
|
Master's
|
45.1201 |
| Forensic Anthropology | 10 |
|
Master's
|
45.0205 |
| Cultural Anthropology | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0204 |
| Anthropology | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0201 |
| International Relations and National Security | 6 |
|
Master's
|
45.0999 |
| Anthropology | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0202 |
| Anthropology | 4 |
|
Master's
|
45.0299 |
| Medical Anthropology | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0203 |
Communication (9 programs, 889 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising | 216 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0903 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | 192 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0701 |
| Public Relations and Image Management | 170 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0902 |
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 113 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
09.0702 |
| Journalism | 107 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0401 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 71 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0100 |
| Health Communication | 14 |
|
Master's
|
09.0905 |
| Public Relations and Advertising | 5 |
|
Other Award
|
09.0999 |
| Broadcast Journalism | 1 |
|
Master's
|
09.0402 |
Engineering (10 programs, 782 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Engineering | 226 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0501 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 203 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1901 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 161 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1001 |
| Computer Engineering | 90 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0901 |
| Materials Engineering | 33 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1801 |
| Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering | 25 |
|
Master's
|
14.4201 |
| Systems Engineering | 23 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.2701 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | 11 |
|
Master's
|
14.3601 |
| Computer Engineering | 5 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
14.0999 |
| Engineering Physics | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.1201 |
Interdisciplinary (11 programs, 566 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Analytics | 226 |
|
Master's
|
30.7102 |
| Financial Analytics | 153 |
|
Master's
|
30.7104 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 66 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30.1901 |
| Mathematical Economics | 51 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.4901 |
| Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies | 25 |
|
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
30.9999 |
| Systems Science and Theory | 17 |
|
Master's
|
30.0601 |
| Ancient Studies and Civilization | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
30.2201 |
| Data Science | 5 |
|
Master's
|
30.7001 |
| Economics and Computer Science | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.3901 |
| Geoarchaeology | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.4201 |
| Historic Preservation and Conservation | 1 |
|
Master's
|
30.1201 |
Law (7 programs, 517 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 296 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
22.0101 |
| Foreign Law Programs | 120 |
|
Master's
|
22.0202 |
| Tax Law and Taxation | 49 |
|
Master's
|
22.0211 |
| Corporate and Securities Law | 38 |
|
Master's
|
22.0205 |
| Legal Research and Professional Studies | 12 |
|
Master's
|
22.0299 |
| International Business and Trade Law | 1 |
|
Master's
|
22.0210 |
| Legal Professions and Studies | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
22.9999 |
Education (20 programs, 506 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 87 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| Music Teacher Education | 83 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1312 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 79 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0301 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 42 |
|
Master's
|
13.1101 |
| General Education | 40 |
|
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0101 |
| Special Education Teaching | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1001 |
| Art Education | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1302 |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching | 18 |
|
Master's
|
13.1401 |
| Early Childhood Education | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1210 |
| Reading Teacher Education | 13 |
|
Master's
|
13.1315 |
| Social Studies Teacher Education | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13.1318 |
| Science Teacher Education | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1316 |
| Elementary Education | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1202 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13.1311 |
| English Language Arts Teacher Education | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1305 |
| Foreign Language Teacher Education | 7 |
|
Master's
|
13.1306 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development in Specific Subject Areas | 6 |
|
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
13.1399 |
| Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments | 5 |
|
Master's
|
13.1003 |
| Bilingual and Multilingual Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.0201 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second Language | 1 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13.1499 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Boston University (BU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Boston University (BU)
How much does it cost to attend Boston University (BU)?
The annual tuition at Boston University (BU) is $65,168 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $86,363 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $18,110 and books and supplies $1,000.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Boston University offer?
Boston University (BU) offers 227 academic programs across 27 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Certificate (≥2 yrs), Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (16 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (11 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (30 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (19 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (15 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Boston University?
Boston University (BU) has an 10.8% acceptance rate and a 36% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 80,495
- Students admitted: 8,733
- Students enrolled: 3,145
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Boston University?
Boston University (BU) provides financial aid to 20% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $55,080 and average loans of $11,732.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,668
- State/Local grants: $4,303
- Institutional grants: $52,523
- Federal loans: $4,064
The university supports 1,804 students with grants and 770 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Boston University graduates?
Boston University (BU) graduates earn a median salary of $65,655 after 6 years and $83,238 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $56,723 (25th percentile) to $122,012 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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