Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Boston University graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth throughout their early career progression. 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 to ten-year measurement points.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings align with peer institutions — outcomes are in line with similar schools.
Financial justification for the investment.
Excellent affordability. Median debt of $23,250 is well under annual earnings, enabling comfortable repayment.
Boston University graduates finish with median debt of $23,250, ranking around the national average at the 45.0th percentile and nearly identical to the peer median of $23,168. Debt levels span from $12,250 at the 25th percentile to $30,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating modest variation in borrowing patterns among students who borrow.
Boston University delivers strong return on investment through high absolute earnings levels despite generating earnings below expectations relative to student preparation. The institution ranks at the 81.5th percentile for return performance with well above average outcomes.
Approximately 24.2% of Boston University graduates continue to graduate or professional study, based on program mix analysis with high confidence. Th...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Computer Science generates the highest graduate earnings at $119,493, followed by Computer Engineering at $110,259, both reflecting strong demand in technology sectors. Business Administration produces solid earnings of $86,755 with the largest enrollment of 691 graduates, demonstrating scale and consistency.
Engineering programs including Bioengineering ($84,960) and Mechanical Engineering ($84,331) cluster around the institutional median. Communication programs like Communication and Media Studies ($69,156) and Applied Economics ($77,424) show strong performance relative to typical liberal arts outcomes.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings outcomes show substantial variation in risk and upside potential across different career paths. The distribution spans from $56,723 at the 25th percentile to $122,012 at the 75th percentile, creating a 2.2:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles.
