Boston University's published cost of attendance is $86,285, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $9,500 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $11,778, and higher-income families pay approximately $47,504.
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $86,285 |
| Tuition and Fees | $68,102 |
| Room and Board | $19,020 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$61,883 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $24,402 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $9,500 |
| $30–48k | $9,342 |
| $48–75k | $11,778 |
| $75–110k | $22,517 |
| $110k+ | $47,504 |
Boston University's published cost of attendance is $86,285, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $9,500 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $11,778, and higher-income families pay approximately $47,504. Azimuth ranks Boston University #1006 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. The gap between sticker price and what families actually pay can be substantial — a dynamic worth understanding before drawing conclusions from the net price illusion. Boston University participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, with need-based aid available through the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The university's aid structure includes grants, scholarships, and work-study options, though the depth of need-based coverage varies by family circumstance. Families weighing the full cost picture should account for how institutional grant aid interacts with federal Pell eligibility, particularly for lower-income households where the net price figures above reflect the most favorable aid conditions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $39,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Boston University's median four-year earnings of $83,615, median federal debt of $23,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Boston University earn median earnings of $83,615 four years after enrollment, placing Boston University in the 87.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $95,739 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $15,901 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Boston University in the 9.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Boston University #391 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The degree mix at Boston University is anchored by Social Sciences, which accounts for 16% of graduates, followed by Business at 15% and Engineering at 9%. Business Administration combines large cohort scale with strong pay, making it a key contributor to the university's overall return profile. Azimuth ranks Business Administration #14 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions , with 678 graduates earning median earnings of $108,412. The Economics program graduates 305 students with median earnings of $96,723, and Azimuth ranks the program #75 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions. Among the highest-earning fields, Azimuth ranks Computer Science #72 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning median earnings of $136,667 four years after enrollment. Psychology, General also stands out, with Azimuth ranking it #40 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions and graduates earning median earnings of $63,838.
