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.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Boston University typically demonstrate exceptional academic preparation across standardized testing measures. SAT scores for enrolled students range from 1400 to 1520, with a midpoint of 1473, representing performance among the highest we track nationally. Math scores specifically range from 720 to 780, while verbal scores span 680 to 740, indicating balanced strength across both sections. ACT scores range from 32 to 34, with a midpoint of 33, also ranking among the highest we track. These ranges represent the middle 50% of enrolled students, meaning 25% of students score below the lower bound and 25% score above the upper bound. Students scoring below 1400 SAT or 32 ACT are less common in the admitted class but are not automatically excluded. The 95-point SAT advantage over the peer median of 1378 demonstrates that Boston University attracts students with significantly stronger test preparation than typical private research universities. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college list. If your scores fall within the middle 50% ranges, you are academically competitive for admission, though admission decisions consider many factors beyond test scores. Students scoring below the 25th percentile should expect to be at a competitive disadvantage but should not consider themselves automatically disqualified from consideration.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Boston University enrolls a student body that reflects both academic selectivity and meaningful demographic diversity. The university enrolls 18.0% Pell-eligible students, indicating that roughly one in five students receives federal aid based on lower family income levels. First-generation college students comprise 16.9% of enrollment, showing that students whose parents did not complete college represent a significant portion of the student body. Transfer students make up 22.8% of enrollment, indicating substantial pathways for students beginning their higher education elsewhere. While these diversity shares are lower than at public flagship universities, they demonstrate that Boston University enrolls students from varied economic and educational backgrounds alongside those from more privileged circumstances. The combination of highly selective admission standards with meaningful socioeconomic diversity suggests that the university considers multiple factors in admission decisions beyond test scores and grades. First-generation students should know that 16.9% of enrolled students share their background, providing peer networks and institutional familiarity. Students from lower-income families should consider the 18.0% Pell share when assessing institutional fit and support systems. Transfer applicants should note the substantial 22.8% transfer enrollment, indicating established pathways and support systems for students transitioning from other institutions.
Given Boston University's 10.8% acceptance rate, most applicants—even academically qualified ones—will need backup options. The schools below deliver comparable career outcomes with more accessible admission, different geographic options, or better value.
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Students who enroll at Boston University demonstrate high levels of academic persistence and degree completion. The first-year retention rate reaches 94.5%, compared to a peer median of 81.3%, indicating that students adapt successfully to the academic environment and choose to continue their studies. Six-year graduation rates reach 90.0%, substantially above the peer median of 63.5%, showing that students who enroll typically complete their degrees within the traditional timeframe. Pell-eligible students graduate at 80.5%, creating a 9.5 percentage point gap below the overall completion rate. This gap indicates that students from lower-income backgrounds face additional challenges in degree completion, though the 80.5% completion rate remains above national averages for Pell students. The retention and completion patterns suggest that students who gain admission are generally well-prepared for the academic demands and benefit from institutional support systems that promote persistence. Students who gain admission can expect to join a cohort with high completion rates and strong academic momentum. Lower-income students should weigh the 9.5 percentage point Pell gap when considering this institution, while recognizing that the absolute completion rate of 80.5% exceeds national patterns for similar students. Prospective students should view these retention and completion rates as indicators of the supportive academic environment they would experience if admitted.
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