In the news
· Announced
Boston University's BU Promise: full tuition for families under $200,000, and no loansBU removed loans from need-based aid and capped what families under $200,000 pay, beginning with students who entered in the 2026-27 academic year.
Getting in
For Fall 2025, 76,776 first-year students applied to BU, 9,853 were admitted and 3,449 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 12.8%.
Source: Boston University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state (Massachusetts) | 8,059 | 1,075 | 13.3% |
| Out-of-state | 50,764 | 5,908 | 11.6% |
| International | 15,794 | 2,521 | 16% |
Source: Boston University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table (2,159 applicants of unknown residency not shown). Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. BU's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole university, with no rate by school or college.
Source: Boston University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early decision. The Common Data Set reports Early Decision and Early Decision 2 together. BU has no early action plan.
Early decision, Fall 2025
| Plan | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision and Early Decision 2 | 6,907 | 2,165 | 31.3% |
Source: Boston University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
You apply to one of BU's schools and colleges. One asks for more:
- College of Fine Arts (art, music, theatre). Program requirements such as a portfolio, an audition or an interview, set by each program.
Source: BU Admissions, First-Year Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
133 majors across 9 schools. Every bachelor's major on Boston University's official Degree Programs index, grouped by the school that offers it, with the degree. Combined bachelor's-to-master's programs, minors and Metropolitan College's part-time programs are left out.
College of Arts and Sciences84
- African American and Black Diaspora Studies (B.A.)
- American Studies (B.A.)
- Ancient Greek and Latin (B.A.)
- Anthropology and Religion (B.A.)
- Anthropology with a Specialization in Anthropology, Health and Medicine (B.A.)
- Anthropology with a Specialization in Biological Anthropology (B.A.)
- Anthropology with a Specialization in Sociocultural Anthropology (B.A.)
- Archaeological and Environmental Sciences (B.A.)
- Archaeology (B.A.)
- Architectural Studies (B.A.)
- Asian Studies (B.A.)
- Astronomy (B.A.)
- Astronomy and Physics (B.A.)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (B.A.)
- Biology (B.A.)
- Biology with a Specialization in Behavioral Biology (B.A.)
- Biology with a Specialization in Biodiversity, Conservation and Global Change Biology (B.A.)
- Biology with a Specialization in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics (B.A.)
- Biology with a Specialization in Neurobiology (B.A.)
- Chemistry (B.A.)
- Chemistry and Physics (B.A.)
- Chemistry: Chemical Biology (B.A.)
- Chemistry: Materials and Nanoscience (B.A.)
- Chinese Language and Literature (B.A.)
- Cinema and Media Studies (B.A.)
- Classical Studies (B.A.)
- Classics and Archaeology (B.A.)
- Classics and Philosophy (B.A.)
- Classics and Religion (B.A.)
- Comparative Literature (B.A.)
- Computer Science (B.A.)
- Computer Science and Economics (B.A.)
- Earth and Environmental Sciences (B.A.)
- Economics (B.A.)
- Economics and Mathematics (B.A.)
- English (B.A.)
- Environmental Analysis and Policy (B.A.)
- European Studies (B.A.)
- French Studies (B.A.)
- French and Linguistics (B.A.)
- German Language and Literature (B.A.)
- Greek, Ancient (B.A.)
- History (B.A.)
- History of Art and Architecture (B.A.)
- Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Studies (B.A.)
- Independent Major (B.A.)
- International Relations (B.A.)
- Italian Studies (B.A.)
- Italian and Linguistics (B.A.)
- Japanese Language and Literature (B.A.)
- Japanese and Linguistics (B.A.)
- Korean Language and Literature (B.A.)
- Latin American Studies (B.A.)
- Linguistics (B.A.)
- Linguistics and African Languages (B.A.)
- Linguistics and Philosophy (B.A.)
- Linguistics and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (B.A.)
- Marine Science (B.A.)
- Mathematics (includes Statistics) (B.A.)
- Mathematics and Computer Science (B.A.)
- Mathematics and Mathematics Education (B.A.)
- Mathematics and Philosophy (B.A.)
- Mathematics and Physics (B.A.)
- Middle East and North Africa Studies (B.A.)
- Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Literatures (B.A.)
- Neuroscience (B.A.)
- Philosophy (B.A.)
- Philosophy and Neuroscience (B.A.)
- Philosophy and Physics (B.A.)
- Philosophy and Political Science (B.A.)
- Philosophy and Psychology (B.A.)
- Philosophy and Religion (B.A.)
- Physics (B.A.)
- Physics and Computer Science (B.A.)
- Political Science (B.A.)
- Psychology (B.A.)
- Religion (B.A.)
- Russian Language and Literature (B.A.)
- Science Education (B.A.)
- Sociology (B.A.)
- Spanish (B.A.)
- Spanish and Linguistics (B.A.)
- Statistics and Computer Science (B.A.)
- Teaching of Chemistry (B.A.)
Source: Boston University, Degree Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Faculty of Computing and Data Sciences1
- Data Science (B.S.)
Source: Boston University, Degree Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Communication5
- Advertising (B.S.)
- Film and Television (B.S.)
- Journalism (B.S.)
- Media Science (B.S.)
- Public Relations (B.S.)
Source: Boston University, Degree Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Engineering4
- Biomedical Engineering (B.S.)
- Computer Engineering (B.S.)
- Electrical Engineering (B.S.)
- Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Source: Boston University, Degree Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Fine Arts19
- Acting (B.F.A.)
- Art (B.A.)
- Art Education (B.F.A.)
- Composition and Music Theory (B.M.)
- Costume Design and Production (B.F.A.)
- Graphic Design (B.F.A.)
- Lighting Design (B.F.A.)
- Music (B.A.)
- Music Education (B.M.)
- Music Performance (B.M.)
- Painting (B.F.A.)
- Printmaking (B.F.A.)
- Scene Design (B.F.A.)
- Sculpture (B.F.A.)
- Sound Design (B.F.A.)
- Stage Management (B.F.A.)
- Technical Production (B.F.A.)
- Theatre Arts, Design and Production (B.F.A.)
- Theatre Arts, Performance (B.F.A.)
Source: Boston University, Degree Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Hospitality Administration2
- Hospitality Administration (B.S.)
- Hospitality and Communication (B.S.)
Source: Boston University, Degree Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Questrom School of Business1
- Business Administration (B.S.)
Source: Boston University, Degree Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences6
- Behavior and Health (B.S.)
- Health Science (B.S.)
- Human Physiology (B.S.)
- Linguistics and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (B.S.)
- Nutrition (B.S.)
- Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (B.S.)
Source: Boston University, Degree Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Wheelock College of Education and Human Development11
- Bilingual Education/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (B.S.)
- Deaf Studies (B.S.)
- Early Childhood Education (B.S.)
- Education and Human Development (B.S.)
- Elementary Education (B.S.)
- English Education (B.S.)
- Mathematics Education (B.S.)
- Modern Foreign Language Education (B.S.)
- Science Education (B.S.)
- Social Studies Education (B.S.)
- Special Education (B.S.)
Source: Boston University, Degree Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision | November 2 | December 15 | Yes |
| Early Decision 2 | January 5 | February 9 | Yes |
| Regular Decision | January 5 | March 28 | No |
The CSS Profile and FAFSA are due with each plan's application. Some merit scholarships, music prescreening recordings and theatre prescreens are due December 1. Regular Decision enrollment deposits are due May 1.
Source: BU Admissions, Important Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early Decision and Early Decision 2 are binding and open only to high school seniors for September admission: if admitted, you pay a nonrefundable enrollment deposit and withdraw your applications to all other colleges.
Source: BU Admissions, Early Decision Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
BU is test optional for first-year applicants through fall 2028 and spring 2029, for every school and college and for scholarships. You choose whether your SAT or ACT scores are considered; if you send them, BU superscores both tests, and scores you enter yourself must be confirmed by an official report before you enroll.
Source: BU Admissions, First-Year Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as not required for admission, but considered if submitted, for fall 2027 applicants, with scores due by January 5.
Source: Boston University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
- Testing. BU stays test optional for students applying for fall 2028 entry.
Source: BU Admissions, First-Year Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
We found nothing else announced for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: BU Admissions, First-Year Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at BU, 2026-2027:
| Tuition | $73,024 |
|---|---|
| Fees | $1,570 |
| Housing and food (most plans) | $20,740 |
| Books and supplies (estimated) | $1,000 |
| Incidentals (estimated) | $2,085 |
| Total | $98,419 |
BU's budget for a student living on campus. First-year College of General Studies students have a separate cost of attendance.
Source: BU Financial Assistance, Cost of Attendance for Undergraduates (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $9,500 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $9,342 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $11,778 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $22,517 |
| Over $110,000 | $47,504 |
| All incomes | $24,402 |
What first-year, full-time students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from BU's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to Boston University on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA · Private13.9% admitted$41,704 average net price
Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury, VT · Private12.8% admitted$31,483 average net price
Tufts UniversityMedford, MA · Private10.8% admitted$39,998 average net price
Wellesley CollegeWellesley, MA · Private14.8% admitted$25,496 average net price
Bates CollegeLewiston, ME · Private14.8% admitted$29,351 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.