Boston University

Boston University admits 10.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 9 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Boston University within the highly selective tier of American universities.

The peer median admission rate of 69.4% highlights the substantial difference between Boston University's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among private research universities, Boston University's acceptance rate falls well below average levels.

This level of selectivity means that academically qualified students face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process, as many students with strong credentials do not receive admission due to the competitive applicant pool. The university's highly selective admission profile reflects both institutional prestige and limited enrollment capacity relative to application volume.

For prospective students, this selectivity level indicates that Boston University should be treated as a reach school regardless of academic qualifications. Students should build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes.

The 58.5 percentage point difference between Boston University's admission rate and its peer median underscores the importance of applying to a range of institutions with varying selectivity levels to ensure admission options.

Boston University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for evaluation. Business Administration and Management ranks #19 nationally and #3 in Massachusetts, producing 691 graduates with median earnings of $86,755 and a value score of 94.7, making it the largest program by enrollment.

Communication and Media Studies ranks #8 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts, graduating 428 students with median earnings of $69,156 and a value score of 97.3. Computer Science ranks #66 nationally and #10 in Massachusetts, with 232 graduates earning $119,493.

Applied Economics ranks #101 nationally and #10 in Massachusetts, graduating 300 students with median earnings of $77,424. International Relations and Affairs ranks #24 nationally and #2 in Massachusetts, with 220 graduates earning $60,926.

Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering ranks #26 nationally and #3 in Massachusetts, graduating 143 students with median earnings of $84,960. The institution demonstrates particular strength in business, communications, and engineering programs, with multiple programs achieving top-25 national rankings in their respective fields.

Boston University's published cost of attendance reaches $82,694 per year, consisting of $65,168 in tuition, $18,110 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $26,996 after financial aid, representing savings of $55,698 from the sticker price.

This net price falls $6,535 below the peer median of $33,531, indicating more generous financial aid relative to similar institutions. The substantial gap between published costs and actual net price reflects the university's commitment to need-based financial aid, particularly for students from lower and middle-income families.

Net costs vary significantly by family income level, ranging from $11,453 for families earning under $30,000 to $48,018 for families earning above $110,000. This progressive pricing structure indicates that financial aid concentrates among students with the greatest economic need.

The university's financial aid approach results in costs that are more manageable than the sticker price suggests, particularly for students from families earning below six-figure incomes. For families comparing costs across institutions, Boston University's net price advantage over peer institutions may offset the high published cost of attendance.

Boston University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over their early career trajectory. Median earnings rise from $65,655 six years after enrollment to $73,661 at eight years and $83,238 at ten years, representing 26.8% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes are based on ten-year cohorts ranging from 1,676 to 2,247 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $83,238 in median earnings, ranking at the 95.0th percentile nationally and $6,667 above the peer median of $76,571.

Earnings span from $56,723 at the 25th percentile to $122,012 at the 75th percentile, representing a 2.2:1 ratio that reflects differences in program choice and career trajectory. Low-income graduates earn $83,300, ranking in the top 5% nationally for this outcome measure.

Despite strong absolute earnings levels, graduates earn $16,383 below expectations relative to similar students nationally, placing Boston University at the 4.6th percentile for earnings beyond expectations. Approximately 24.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.