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Boston University (BU) : Rankings, Cost, Programs, Scholarships
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134 acre campus- Estd. 1839
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Last updated on 6 Jun '25BUWhat's new?
Boston University application deadline is Nov 1, 2025, for UG international students.
- About Boston University
- BU Popular Courses
- Boston University Programs
- BU Student Reviews
- Boston University Scholarships
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About Boston University
Founded in 1839, Boston University is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. The campus of Boston University is located in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood. The campus size of BU is 140 acres. The university is one of the only 3 universities in Boston and Cambridge named to the prestigious Association of American Universities. BU is home to more than 37,000 students. The undergraduate student enrollment is 17,000+ and that of graduate students is 18,000+. International students at this university are more than 10,000. There are 17 schools and colleges at BU.
Academic Reputation
The university offers courses at the UG and PG levels. More than 300 courses are offered by this university. As per unofficial sources, Boston University acceptance rate is 11%. This shows that the university is highly competitive. For the BU Class of 2028, the average GPA was 3.8 and the average SAT score was 1455 and the average ACT score was 32.
Rankings
The university is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. It is ranked at #41 in National Universities category in 2025, as per a top-ranking publisher. In the rankings by the same publisher, BU is ranked #25 for Best Value for academic excellence and economic value. Also, the university is ranked at #17 in the Top 50 Best Colleges in Big Cities by Newsweek. Additionally, BU is classified among R1: Doctoral Universities.
Athletics and Student Life
In the context of athletics, roughly 600 student-athletes of BU are competing at the highest level of college athletics in 24 NCAA Division I varsity sports. The university’s Division I Terriers compete in men’s basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, tennis, etc. A few women's sports are field hockey, cross-country, golf, ice-hockey, etc. Furthermore, the university has been a proud member of the Patriot League since 2013. Twenty of the university’s athletic programs compete under the Patriot League banner, while the men’s and women’s hockey teams are in the Hockey East Association.
Notable Alumni & Faculty
Notable alumni of Boston University include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; actresses Geena Davis and Julianne Moore; TV personality Bill O’Reilly; radio hosts Tipper Gore and Howard Stern, etc. The award-winning faculty of BU includes a forme US Poet Laureate, National and International Academies members, Fulbright Scholars, a dozens of leading scientists, authors, and researchers.
Things to Know about Boston University
A few of the important facts about Boston University are given below:
|
Particulars |
Stats |
|---|---|
|
Acceptance rate |
11% |
|
Rankings |
Among the Top 50 US Universities |
|
Course offerings |
300+ |
| Locations |
Charles River campus, Medical campus & Fenway campus |
|
No. of students |
37,000+ |
|
Student-to-faculty ratio |
10:1 |
|
Average class size |
30 |
|
Student diversity |
118+ countries and all 50 U.S. states. |
| No. of international students |
10,000+ |
| Campus size |
140 acres |
| Average GPA |
3.8 |
Boston University Student Enrollment
As per the facts of 2023, the total number of students at Boston University was 37,000+. Out of this, 17,000+ were UG students and 18,000+ were PG students. The international student population at the university in 2023 was 12,853. The top places of origin of students were China, India, South Korea, Canada, and Taiwan. Boston University acceptance rate is 11.1% for 2024. The enrollment details over the years are given below:
|
Year |
No. of applicants |
Admitted Students |
Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2024 |
78,769 |
8,743 |
11.1% |
|
2023 |
80,495 |
8,733 |
10.9% |
|
2022 |
80,794 |
11,434 |
14.4% |
|
2021 |
75,733 |
13,884 |
18.3% |
|
2020 |
61,006 |
11,286 |
18.5% |
Boston University History
Boston University was founded in 1839. It began as the Newbury Biblical Institute. BU originated in 1869 when it was officially chartered. In 1875, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in the university’s laboratory. Then, in 1876, Borden Parker Bowne was appointed professor of Philosophy. He is known for his contributions to personalism, a philosophical branch of Liberal Theology. Then, in 1877, BU became the first American university to award a PhD to a woman (Helen Magill White). In the year 1938, the Charles River campus of the university opened. By 1936, the student body at BU included 10,300+ men and women. In 1946, BU’s School of Nursing opened. Then, in 1996, Boston University and the City of Boston announced the merger of Boston University Medical Center Hospital and Boston City Hospital, creating the Boston Medical Center. Then, in 2012, Boston University joined the Association of American Universities (AAU). In 2017, Times Higher Education named BU an ‘International Powerhouse’, based on the strength of the university’s research.
Check out the below videos of Boston University for more Information:
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Boston University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world and is a very competitive university to get into. As per the unofficial sources, Boston University acceptance rate is 11%. Since the stats are on the lower end, we can conclude that securing admission in Boston is not easy. However, students must not feel discouraged and fulfil all Boston University's admission requirements; competitive grades, standardized test scores, English language requirements & relevant documents in order to get into the university.
Yes, in the US specific rankings, BU ranks at #41 in the National Universities category in the 2025 edition of a top-ranking publisher. In the Global Universities category, the university ranks at #73 position in the latest rankings. Furthermore, as per another world-ranking publisher, the BU ranking is #75 in 2025. It can be said that Boston University is a top 100 University in the U.S.
In the National Universities ranking 2025, Boston University ranking is #41. Furthermore, it is one of the only three universities in Boston and Cambridge named to the prestigious Association of American Universities. Also, BU is ranked #7 among the universities hosting the most international students in the US by Open Doors. As of 2023, there are 37,000+ students (total) at Boston University. Students at this university come from 118+ countries and all 50 U.S. states.
Boston University campus size is 140 acres. At the campus of the university, there are 343 buildings, 800+ classrooms, and 13 libraries. The university offers 300+ courses. The student body at the university is 37,000+. Out of this, 17,700+ are UG students and 18,400+ are Graduate and Professional students. The faculty at the university is 4,300+.
At Boston University, students come from all walks of life and every corner of the globe. There is no single type of student at BU as the university's community includes students from different backgrounds and with a wide variety of life experiences. The total number of first-year applicants enrolled in Fall 2024 is 78,769. 23% of the students in the BU Class of 2028 are international.
18 months Boston University Programs
Boston University offers a wide range of courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The university offers more than 300+ degree programs. A few of the popular Boston University courses among international students are MBA, MS in CS, MS in Financial Management, MS in Artificial Intelligence, and MS in Business Analytics. This university also offers many online programs for international students. A few of these courses are Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity, Enterprise Risk Management, MSc in Applied Data Analytics, MSc in Project Management, Corporate Finance, Applied Business Analytics, etc.
As per the details available on the web, a few of the courses studied by this university’s alumni are Business Administration and Management, Economics, Psychology, Computer Science, Finance, etc.
4.08 months - 3 years
We can fast-track your application in a week.
4.012 - 30 months
12.9K+ students got admitted through us.
Guided 4.5K students to USA universities.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
The Department of CS at Boston is widely regarded as among top Computer Science programs in the US, reflecting the quality and commitment of its outstanding faculty. Boston is a booming hub for startups and technology, hence, studying at BU allows a way for students to get exciting internship or build career with tech companies like Cisco, Amazon Robotics, Trip Advisor, Google, Hubspot, Microsoft, etc.
While studying MS in Computer Science at Boston University, students can take their place at the forefront of Computing Research and Education. While pursuing an MS in CS course at Boston University, students get in-depth knowledge of theory, software, systems, and applications. Also, students gain expertise through hands-on experience and working with world-class faculty members.
Boston University offers more than 300 academic programs. A few of the UG majors are Chemistry, Data Science, Economics, Health Science, Graphic Design, etc. Some of the graduate programs that are offered by this university are MBA, MS in CS, MS in Financial Management, MS in Artificial Intelligence, and MS in Business Analytics, etc.
Boston University’s top ranked MBA programme offers a rigorous full-time MBA curriculum grounded in a hands-on, team-based approach. The MBA programme of this university ranks at #74 in 2025 and #82 position in the Financial Times rankings 2024. Furthermore, as per the stats (Financial Times 2022), the university ranks at 4th position for the highest percent of female students across all full-time MBA programs.
The duration of Boston University MSc in Financial Management 12-20 months. This program is STEM-designated. Students can get specialized education in Global Quantitative Finance including Investment Analysis and International Finance while studying this course. MSFM course is ideal for those seeking careers in Financial Management, Corporate Finance, Multinational Finance, etc. Students can also benefit from working closely with highly qualified faculty. Moreover, students can enjoy a close interaction with faculty and access to support as 15:1 is student-to-faculty ratio.
BUStudents Ratings & Reviews
29 Verified Reviews
- Friendly
- Multi-dimensional
- Academically oriented
- Fun loving
- 38% students never faced discrimination in this university
BU Boston University Scholarships
Boston University offers a variety of scholarships for domestic and international students. All scholarships of the university are categorized into two types; merit-based scholarships and need-based scholarships. International students are not eligible for need-based scholarships at the university. The majority of the need-based scholarships offered by the university are from the federal or state government. However, international students can apply for two merit-based scholarships; Trustee Scholarships and the Presidential Scholarship. Check below the Boston University scholarships for international students:
| Scholarship Name | Award |
|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | INR 20,77,000 |
| Trustee Scholarship | INR 50,72,000+ |
Boston University Admissions 2025
For Boston University admissions, the applicants can apply via Common App for UG courses. For graduate courses, the applicants can apply via the direct online application link. A general application process for admission to this university is given as follows:
Application Deadlines
Check below the Boston University admission deadlines for international students:
|
Application Path |
Deadline |
|---|---|
|
Regular Decision |
Jan 6, 2026 |
|
Early Decision |
Nov 1, 2025 |
|
Early Decision II |
Jan 6, 2026 |
The admission deadlines for postgraduate courses vary from course to course. Therefore, international students are advised to check the admission deadlines for their courses before applying to Boston University.
Admission Requirements for International Students
For admission to Boston Uni, here are the general entry requirements that the applicants have to fulfill:
- UG: The applicants are required to have their secondary school grades
- PG: For admission to graduate programs of BU, the applicants should have a bachelor’s degree. GMAT / GRE score may also be required. For the MBA course, the applicants must submit all the transcripts, GMAT / GRE score, resume, a letter of recommendation, etc.
- English Language Proficiency Test Score: The applicants can submit IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo / PTE test scores
Acceptance Rate
Boston University acceptance rate is 11%. This shows that BU is very competitive when it comes to admissions.
Application Fee
For UG applicants, Boston University application fee is USD 80 (Around INR 6,700). For graduate courses, the applicants can check the application fee by visiting the official website of the university.
Eligibility
Here are the the documents that are required to apply to Boston University:
- Higher secondary certificate
- SAT/ACT (if applicable)
- ELP test score
- Documentation of financial support
- Passport page copy
- Recommendation letters
- GRE/GMAT
- Statement of purpose
- Resume
- Official transcripts
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Boston University is one of the most sought-after universities among international students. The university takes admissions through four pathways; Regular Decision, Early Decision, Early Decision II, and Transfer. The admission deadlines for international students may vary from course to course. Therefore, international students are advised to check the admission deadlines before applying. Check below Boston University admission deadlines for international students:
Application Path | Deadline |
|---|---|
Regular Decision | Jan 6, 2025 |
Early Decision | Nov 1, 2024 |
Early Decision II | Jan 6, 2025 |
Yes, to get admission to Boston University, international applicants are required to submit IELTS score. The minimum scores required in IELTS are given as follows:
Tests | Minimum Scores |
|---|---|
Duolingo | At least 125-135 |
TOEFL | At least 90-100, Minimum scores of 20 in each section |
IELTS | Overall score of 7 or higher |
Although GRE scores are not required to apply Boston University MSc in CS course, the Admission Committee will consider the scores if submitted. As a rule of thumb, the average percentiles of the admitted students are 60% for Verbal and 80% for Quantitative. To apply to this course, the applicants must have a strong background in Computer Science. This includes education in Computer Systems, Algorithms, Programming Languages and Theory. A 3-year bachelor's degree is required. A minimum GPA that is required is 3.0. The application documents that have to be submitted are:
- Personal statement
- Two recommendation letters
- Academic transcripts
- English language proficiency score
Boston University sends an email to students within 3-5 business days acknowledge that it has received the application. The university sends an email when a decision is posted on the MyBU portal. Decisions are posted as follows:
Particulars | Dates |
|---|---|
Early Decision 1 | No later than Dec 15, 2024 |
Early Decision 2 | Feb 15, 2025 |
Regular Decision | Late Mar – Early Apr 2025 |
Boston University application fee for international UG students is USD 80 (Around INR 6,900). For graduate courses, the application fee varies as per the courses. For full-time MBA course, the application fee is USD 125 (Around INR 10,000). To apply to graduate courses, the applicants can apply via the university portal. Whereas, to apply to the UG courses, the applicants can apply via the Common Application. The documents that are required to apply are academic transcripts, English language proficiency score, financial documents, standardized test scores, etc.
Boston University Cost
Boston University tuition fees vary as per the courses. For one year, the tuition fee can be around INR 19 L - INR 58 L. The course-level wise tuition fee is given below:
|
Course Level |
Annual Tuition Fee in INR |
|---|---|
|
UG |
INR 51 L - 58.06 L |
|
PG |
INR 19.42 L - 83.22 L |
Living Cost: The undergraduate estimate of expenses for Boston University students for the academic year 2025-26 is given below:
|
Particulars |
Expenses for 2024/25 |
|---|---|
|
Room and board |
USD 19,876 (Around INR 17 L) |
|
Books and supplies |
USD 1,045 (Around INR 90k) |
|
Incidentals |
USD 4,855 (Around INR 4.2 L) |
The housing rates vary as per the room type. For residence halls, the prices range between USD 20,000 - USD 26,000 per academic year and for Apartments, it can range between USD 17,000 - USD 23,000.
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MS(74 courses) | INR 25 L - 85 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 8 months-3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 84 - 100, Duolingo: 115 - 125 |
MBA/PGDM(24 courses) | INR 49 L - 75 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12-30 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 84 - 100, Duolingo: 115 - 120 |
B.Sc.(39 courses) | INR 60 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 24 months-6 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 90 & Above, IELTS: 7 & Above, Duolingo: 125 & Above |
Others PG(28 courses) | INR 19 L - 60 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 - 7, TOEFL: 84 - 100, Duolingo: 115 - 130 |
B.A.(67 courses) | INR 60 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4-5 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 90 & Above, IELTS: 7 & Above, Duolingo: 125 & Above |
M.A.(39 courses) | INR 19 L - 60 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 10 months-4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 - 7, TOEFL: 84 - 100, Duolingo: 130 & Above |
B.E. / B.Tech(8 courses) | INR 60 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4-5 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 90 - 95, IELTS: 7 & Above, Duolingo: 125 & Above |
MFA(17 courses) | INR 30 L - 50 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12 months-3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 90 & Above, Duolingo: 115 & Above |
B.J.M.C.(6 courses) | INR 60 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 90 & Above, IELTS: 7 & Above, Duolingo: 125 & Above |
LL.M.(6 courses) | INR 50 L - 60 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 8-16 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 84 - 100 |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Below-given are the estimates for undergraduate international students enrolled at Boston University in the 2025/26 academic year. Boston University cost for international students are given below:
Particulars | Fees for 9 months |
|---|---|
Tuition | USD 69,670 |
University fees | USD 1,496 |
Health insurance | USD 3,554 |
Room and board | USD 19,876 |
Books and supplies | USD 1,045 |
Incidentals | USD 4,855 |
It may be difficult for international applicants to get into Boston University with a 2.7 GPA. There is no minimum GPA requirement at the university. However, students are recommended to have at least a GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 to get admission to the university.
Boston University is slightly expensive for Indian students to study in the USA. The BU fees for first-year avry from INR 19 L and INR 73 L. The table below includes the cost of stuyding of some popular Boston courses:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
PG Certificate | INR 73 L |
MS | INR 24 L - 56 L |
MIM | INR 48 L - 73 L |
MBA/PGDM | INR 48 L - 73 L |
BSc | INR 55 L |
BE/BTech | INR 49 L - 55 L |
LLM | INR 49 L - 56 L |
BHM | INR 55 L |
MEng | INR 48 L - 49 L |
Boston University offers a wide range of courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The application fee for international students is USD 80. This is a non-refundable fee and must be paid in order to submit the application form. However, international students should check the minimum eligibility for their courses before applying. The admission requirements may vary from course to course.
The BU application deadline varies by program for international students. Applicants can apply by Nov 01, 2025, for UG admission at the university. The table below includes the deadline for UG and PG admissions at BU:
Boston University UG Admission 2025 | First-Year Regular Admission Deadlines | Early Decision Deadlines | Early Decision II Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
Application | Jan 06, 2026 | Nov 01, 2025 | Dec 01, 2025 |
Notification date | Late Mar | Mid Dec | Mid Feb |
Enrollment deposit due | May 01, 2026 | Early-Mid Jan | Late Feb |
The table below include Boston MBA deadline for international students:
Rounds | Application Deadline | Decision Release |
|---|---|---|
Round 1 | Oct 9, 2024 (closed) | Dec 20, 2024 (closed) |
Round 2 (priority deadline) | Dec 16, 2024 (closed) | Feb 28, 2025 (closed) |
Round 2 (regular deadline) | Jan 09, 2025 (closed) | Feb 28, 2025 (closed) |
Round 3 | May 02, 2025 | May 23, 2025 |
Check the table below for graduate admission deadline of BU schools:
Schools | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
College of Engineering | Oct 01, 2025 |
Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine | Nov 01, 2025 |
College of Fine Arts | Dec 01, 2025 |
Graduate School of Arts & Sciences | Mar 15, 2025 |
School of Hospitality Administration | Priority deadline: Apr 01, 2025 Final deadline: Jun 01, 2025 |
Also read: Conquer US Admissions: International Students' Guide Deadlines
Boston University Job Outcomes
According to the 2024 employment report for Boston University MBA, 85% of students seeking employment accepted an offer within 3 months of graduation. Check details about Boston University placements from here. Also, according to the employment statistics, 94% of students found employment or placement in graduate programs, military service, and fellowships within 6 months of graduation.
Alumni Statistics: Sectors Placed
The industries where MBA Class of 2024 graduates of this university are working are Health & Life Sciences, Consulting Services, Technology, Financial Services, Energy, etc.
ROI after Education from Boston University
The tuition fee for Boston University MBA course is around INR 58 L. On the other hand, the median base salary for graduates is USD 110,000 for international students. This is equivalent to around INR 93 lakh This means that studying at BU would lead to a greater ROI.
Top Employers
The top hiring companies for the MBA Class of 2024 graduates of this university are:
- Amazon
- Cognizant
- CVS Health
- Citigroup
- Deloitte
- IBM
- EY
- Microsoft
- PwC
- Molecule
Top Recruiters
Commonly asked questions On Placements
As per the official facts, 94% of students found employment or placement in graduate programs, military service, and fellowships within 6 months of graduation. Some of the companies where the graduates of this university work are Amazon, Accenture, Apple, Deloitte, ESPN, IBM, Lockheed Martin, PwC, Twitter, U.S. Department of State, etc. Other companies are given as follows:
- Wayfair
- Philips Healthcare
- Boston Consulting Group
- Fidelity Investments
- HubSpot
- Nike
- NBC Universal
Boston University MBA placement rate is 85%. This means 85% of students accepted a job offer within 3 months of graduation. The average salary for international students is USD 110,000. The top industries where MBA graduates are working are Consulting Services, Health & Life Sciences, Financial Services, Technology, Energy, etc. A few of the top employers for the MBA graduates of Class of 2024 are Amazon, Bain & Company, Citigroup, Cognizant, Deloitte, CVS Health, Walmart, etc.
As per the stats available officially, 94% of the recent Boston University graduates found employment or placement in graduate programs, military service or fellowships within 6 months of graduation. The top companies where the graduates have landed jobs are Amazon, Accenture, Apple, Google, HubSpot, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Nike, PwC, Tesla, Deloitte, etc.
As an international student at Boston University, the part-time work authorization allows students to work 20 hours per week or less. Students can work up to over 20 hours per week, between all jobs, during semesters of required registration (Fall, Spring, and Summer if it's the final term of students).
Yes, you can engage in summer internships. However, make sure to check the terms and conditions for this. Every year, the first-year class of MBA students at Boston University engages in Summer internships. 94% of the students from Boston University MBA course completed an internship (Class of 2024).
Detail | Compensation (in USD) |
|---|---|
Mean Base (Weekly) for International | USD 1,406 |
Median Base | USD 1,280 |
Mean Signing Bonus for International | USD 4,700 |
Median Signing Bonus | USD 5,000 |
Boston University Rankings 2025
Boston University secured its place in the year 2025 among the top universities in the world with #108 ranking according to a top-ranking publisher and THE (Times Higher Education) ranked it at #75 in 2025. On the other hand, Shiksha's popularity ranking, Boston University ranking is #30. The university ranks at #41 in the National Universities category in the U.S. in 2025.
#99
#30
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Boston University is one of the most prestigious universities in the USA and is acknowledged all over the world for its research and academic courses. If we talk about Boston University ranking, It is consistently ranked among the top 100 universities in the world by major world university ranking bodies. Bost University's ranking for 2025 is #108 in the world in the category of global universities. Meanwhile, the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 ranked Bost University #77 in the world.
Boston University and Northeastern University both are private research American universities. Both universities are among the top universities in the United States. There are various factors that separate both universities from each other such as tuition fees, scholarships, rankings and accommodations. Among the many factors mentioned above, we have given a comparison of both universities based on their respective rankings.
| University Name | THE Ranking | QS Rankings |
|---|---|---|
| Boston University | #75 | #108 |
| Northeastern University | #201-250 | #396 |
Boston University Vs ASU Vs UCLA - Which is better?
The decision to study at Boston or Arizona State University or UCLA depends on the students' choice. Some factors that may lead to the final choice are tuition fees, course availability, location, scholarship opportunities, etc. Considering the acceptance rates of these three universities, it can be said that UCLA is more selective with an acceptance rate of 9%. A comparison of these 3 universities is given below:
| Particulars | Boston | UCLA | ASU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | #41 | #15 | #121 |
| Acceptance rate | Around 11% | Around 9% | 90% |
| School type | Private | Public | Public research |
| Annual tuition fees | Around INR 19.1 L - 84.35 L | Around INR 20.9 L - 66.75 L | Around INR 6.95 L - 57.37 L |
| Shiksha Ranking (National) | #30 | #13 | #54 |
Compare BU with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 24.8 L - 84.6 L | #41 US News, 2025 | |
| INR 20.76 L - 76.34 L | #6 US News, 2025 | |
| INR 27.18 L - 35.95 L | #879 US News, 2023 | |
| INR 33.3 L - 71.63 L | #6 US News, 2025 | |
| INR 27.63 L - 49.65 L | #70 US News, 2025 | |
| INR 14.49 L - 35.92 L | #58 US News, 2025 |
CompareCommonly asked questions On Comparisons
The decision to choose UCLA or Boston University depends on various factors such as tuition fees, faculty, tuition fee, etc. A comparison between these 2 universities is given below:
| Particulars | Boston | UCLA |
|---|---|---|
| Ranking | #41 (U.S. News) | #15 |
| Acceptance rate | Around 11% | Around 9% |
| School type | Private | Public |
Boston College and Boston University are two very well-known institutions in US and qualify as some of most popular study abroad options for students. In terms of QS World University Rankings 2025. Boston University has an upper hand with the rank #108. Whereas, Boston College's rank is #631-640.
Mentioned below is the comparison between both the universities on the basis of some other parameters that can help you choose the better university for you:
Parameters | Boston College | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
Acceptance Rate | 15.9% | 11% |
Average GPA | 3.7 - 4.0 | 3.8 |
Annual Tuition Fee (B.Tech) | INR 44 L | INR 50 L - 60 L |
BUStudent profile
Others
65%
Asian
19%
Hispanic
10%
Black
4%
Out of state
60%
Foreign
24%
In state
14%
24 and under
97%
25 and over
2%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
UG Enrollment
PG Enrollment
BUStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Boston University Notable Alumni
Boston University has produced some of the most prominent and famous personalities across many fields. Check below some of the most notable alumni of the university:
|
Notable Alumni |
Profession |
Image |
|---|---|---|
|
Jason Alexander |
American Actor & Comedian |
 |
|
Julianne Moore |
American Actress |
 |
|
Michael Chiklis |
American Actor & Television Director |
 |
|
Geena Davis |
Actress |
 |
|
Andy Cohen |
American Television Presenter |
 |
Commonly asked questions On Alumni
Some of the notable names who studied at Boston University are Howard Stern, Julianne Moore, Tyler Hicks, Shraddha Kapoor, Geena Davis, Leonard Nimoy, Psy, etc.
Names | Designation |
|---|---|
Howard Stern | Broadcaster and Media Personality |
Shraddha Kapoor | Indian Actress |
Jason Alexander | Actor and Comedian |
Julianne Moore | Actress |
Geena Davis | Actress |
Tyler Hicks | New York Times Photographer |
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez | Politician and Activist |
Leonard Nimoy | Actor and Director, famed for playing Spock in Star Trek Franchise |
The famous celebrities who have studied at Boston University are Martin Luther King. Jr., Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Julianne Moore, Geena Davis, Shraddha Kapoor, Leonard Nimoy, etc. The designations of the popular alumni of this university are given as follows:
Names | Designation |
|---|---|
Martin Luther King. Jr | Christian Minister, Activist, and Political Philosopher |
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez | Politician and Activist |
Julianne Moore | Actress |
Geena Davis | Actor, Activist, Fashion Model and Producer |
Shraddha Kapoor | Actress |
Leonard Nimoy | Actor and Director |
Boston University Campus
Boston University has two primary campuses located in the heart of Boston, the Charles River Campus and the Medical Campus. There is one other campus of this university, namely the Fenway campus. Boston University campus size is 140 acres and has 346 buildings, 13 libraries, and 800+ classrooms at the university.
The Charles River campus is divided into 15 areas. A few of the schools and colleges located at the Charles River Campus are College of Arts & Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Fine Arts, School of Law, School of Theology, School of Social Work, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, etc. Whereas, on the university’s Medical Campus, the Goldman School of Dental Medicine, School of Public Health, and School of Medicine are located. Special attractions at the university’s main campus are BU Art Gallery at the Stone Gallery, Boston University Theatre, The Castle, Photonics Center, etc.
Safety at BU Campus
BU is committed to providing a safe environment. The safety services include the security camera system, with over 600 security cameras across the campus, and the alarm monitoring service. There is self-training on campus for first-year students, too. Also, students can contact the emergency contact if they need assistance with safety.
Campus Life
To enjoy Boston University campus life, students can check out the 500+ student clubs; shows and lectures, state-of-the-art fitness center. There are rocket clubs, literary clubs, music clubs, and dozens of intramural and club sports. Also, students can take part in community services such as tutoring a recent immigrant in English or helping a plant an urban garden.
Housing
69% of the first-year students of Boston University are living on-campus. There are two types of permanent housing of this university for international students namely the university-owned and operated dorms and apartments for Undergraduate and Graduate students. The other option is apartments owned and operated by private individuals or companies.
Student Organizations & Clubs
There are 450+ student clubs at BU. A few of these are the Curling Club, Film Society, International Society, Knitting Club, Photography Club, Shakespeare Society, etc.
Club Sports
Boston University has 37 different student-run club sports teams. A few of these club sports are Baseball, Badminton, Cricket, Gymnastics, Volleyball, Cycling, etc. BU Sailing team is one of the most successful teams in college sailing. The team has won seven National Championships. Notable alumni from this team include Ken Read (Skipper for PUMA Ocean Racing in the Volvo Ocean Race) and John Mollicone (2012 US Sailing Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Nominee). Also, the university’s Figure Skating team has won the Intercollegiate National Figure Skating Championships.
Commonly asked questions On Others
The main campus of Boston University is at Charles River. BU main campus spans the Kenmore/Fenway, Allston, and South End neighbourhoods of Boston and offers many resources for you to explore and use. It offers more than 300+ courses through its 17 schools and colleges. Additionally, BU offers over 80+ study-abroad programs.
Boston University is a member of the Patriot League, Hockey East, and the Eastern College Athletic Conference. The university's the biggest claims to national sports fame are in varsity Ice Hockey. There are 40 club and intramural sports offered at the university. The club sports at the university range from Badminton to Water Polo. Also, the university has a Fitness and Recreation Center. It has more than 6 acres of workout space and sports facilities including a climbing wall, Olympic size swimming pool, basketball and squash courts, etc.
Students can enjoy the campus life at Boston University by taking part in any of the 500+ student clubs or 24 NCAA Division I varsity sports or utilizing university's resources like the state-of-the-art fitness center. There are literary clubs, music clubs, rocket clubs, etc. at the university. Boston University has student teams in over 30 club sports, from fencing to flag football to table tennis.
Students wanting to know Boston University in which country must note that it is located in the United States. Boston University campus is located in Boston's Back Bay neigbourhood along the Commonwealth Avenue. The university has two primary campuses. The university offers more than 300 UG, Graduate, Doctoral, and Special degree programs. It is one of the members of the prestigious Association of American Universities.
In total, there are 3 campuses of Boston University. There are 17 schools and colleges of this university. The university's two primary campuses located in the heart of Boston, the Charles River Campus and the Medical Campus. The campus area of this university is 140 acres. There are 346 buildings, 848 classrooms, 13 libraries, and 1,500+ laboratories. Furthermore, the university has 300+ courses.
Yes, BU has a student housing for international students. The university has university owned and operated dorms and apartments for Undergraduate and Graduate students. The other option is apartments owned and operated by private individuals or companies. The housing expenses for international UG students at BU are:
Particulars | Expenses for the 2025-26 |
|---|---|
Room and board | USD 19,876 (Around INR 17 L) |
Books & Supplies | USD 1,045 (Around INR 89.4k) |
Incidentals | USD 4,855 (Around INR 4.15 L) |
Boston University offers a number of athletic facilities such as three outdoor fields, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, two ice rinks, a climbing wall, a gym, two competition pools, squash and racquetball courts, etc. There is a Track & Tennis Center at this university. To keep fit, students can use the facilities at the Fitness & Recreation Center at BU. The members of this center have the access to fitness and recreation facilities at the Case Center, Track & Training Center, and Sailing Pavilion.
Boston University FAQs
International students are required to meet the minimum eligibility to get into Boston University. There are a range of courses that international students can pursue at BU from undergraduate to postgraduate levels. Check below the general admission requirements for international students:
UG Admission Requirements
- Common application
- Higher secondary certificate
- Teacher evaluation
- SAT/ACT
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo
- Portfolios
- Auditions & Interviews
- Documentation of financial support
- Copy of data page of passport
- Recommendation letters
PG Admission Requirements
As an Indian applicant of Boston University, here are some of the things and credentials that have to be submitted:
- Common Application / application
- Secondary school records or academic transcripts for graduate courses
- Senior year records
- English language proficiency test results
- Financial support documents
- Copy of the data page of passport
- Standardized test (optional for UG courses)
- Counsellor recommendation and school report form
Boston tops QS Rankings as the Best Student City in the US. It is a top destination for studies as top-ranking universities like MIT, Harvard, Boston University, Tufts, and Northeastern are located there. In the QS Best Student Cities 2025, Boston ranks at #16. However, Boston as a city has high cost of education and cost of living. The average annual tuition fee at the top universities in Boston can surpass USD 60,000 (Around INR 53 lakh). For living expenses, students are expected to spend USD 850 per month (Around INR 74k).
Boston University is a leading private research institution. There are 37,000+ students at BU hailing from 140 countries. The university offers 300+ courses. BU is one of the only 3 universities in Boston and Cambridge named to the prestigious Association of American Universities. It is internationally recognized as a top-institution of higher learning and research (Ranks in #41 in USA). The award-winning faculty of BU includes a forme US Poet Laureate, National and International Academies members, Fulbright Scholars, a dozens of leading scientists, authors, and researchers.
As per Shiksha Study Abroad, the overall rating received by Boston University is 4.0. According to the reviews posted by students on Shiksha, here are some of the highlights for BU:
- BU has a highly engaging life. The campus is extremely welcoming and engaging with a lot of activities for students
- The faculty at Boston is highly qualified and are experts in their field
- For academic assistance, students can enroll in the ISSP or the International Students Success programme which is run by international students and professionals
- A little bit expensive but worth the experience. Studying at BU will allow you to grow as an individual and help you to learn the art of thinking out of the box
Boston University MSBA course is a 12-month long course. As a part of the top business school, this university's MSBA course allows students to master both the Data Analytics and Business fundamentals, a winning combination in the ever-growing field of Business Analytics. After pursuing this course, students can go for the career roles like Analytics Consulting, Applied Data Science, Business Intelligence, Customer & Marketing Analytics, etc. As per the 2024 facts, 87% international students enrolled at this university.
The total number of students enrolled at Boston University is 37,557. Out of this, 17,000+ were UG students and 18,000+ were PG & Professional students. Furthermore, the international student population at the university in 2023 was 12,853. India is one of the top origin from where international students enrolled at this university. The average class size is 30 and the number of faculty is 4,300+ at Boston University.
Some of the reasons to study at BU include:
- A wide range of academic courses are available. The university offers more than 300 courses
- BU has been globally recognized. It has been named a member of the prestigious AAU – an association of top research universities in the U.S. and Canada
- CEOs and recruiters rank the graduates of this university at #12 in the U.S. for employability
- For a university with 17,000+ UG students, BU has a small student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1. Also, the average class size of the university is small, which means, students can have an engaging conversation with the award-winning professors
For admission to LLM in American Law at Boston University, the students should have a strong academic background. The class size of this university is 110-120. A few of the application materials that have to be submitted are:
- Transcripts (A first degree in Law or equivalent)
- Letters of recommendation
- CV
- TOEFL (minimum score of 100) / IELTS score report (7.0)
- High level of English language proficiency is required
- Work experience is preferred, but not required
According to the statistics of 2023, the total number of international students enrolled at this university were 12,000+. India, China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Canada were some of the top origin countries of students. For the Class 2028, the total number of applicants at this university was 78,769 for UG class. International students for this class accounted to 20% hailing from 160+ countries. The top countries represented by students from China, India, South Korea, Canada, and Turkey.
To get into Boston University, the reported GPA for the first-year Class of 2028 is 3.9-4.0. The total number of applicants at this university is 78,769. Out of this, 71,000+ are Regular Decision applicants. Around 42.6% are students of color. This class includes students from 70 countries, 49 states. Also, 23% of the students in the Class of 2028 are international. For admission to this university, international applicants are required to submit secondary school records, English language proficiency score, financial support documents, standardized test scores, etc.
Boston University is a top choice for thousands of students. It is 1 of the only 3 universities in Boston and Cambridge named to the prestigious Association of American Universities. The university is one of the largest independent universities in the U.S. Also, the university ranks at #41 among the national universities. Also, the university has a small student-to-faculty ratio i.e. 10:1. With an average class size of 30, students are going to meet award-winning professors. Moreover, BU is ranked #7 among universities hosting the most international students in the US by Open Doors.
Some of the names included in the list of BU faculty are given below:
Particulars | Names |
|---|---|
Andrew Bacevich | Professor of Emeritus of International Relations & History |
Alexander Graham Bell | Invented telephone |
Belinda Borrelli | Professor & Director of the Center for Behavioral Science Research |
Susanne Sreedhar | Assistant Professor of Philosophy |
Anne Sexton | Professor, Taught Poetry |
Ray Carney | Professor in College of Communication |
Leslie Epston | Professor of English & Director of the Creative Writing Program |
John T. Clarke | Professor of Astronomy |
BU
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 weeks ago
With an acceptance rate of only 11%, Boston University can be considered quite selective as out of every 100 applications, only 11 students are rolled out an offer letter. International students are required to meet ceratin admission requirements.
Below are the UG admission requirements for Boston
P
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
Boston University has been ranked by many of the top ranking bodies such as Quacquarelli Symonds, Times Higher Education rankings and US News and World Report. The rankings of some of the top courses such as Biomedical Engineering, Biology, Technology, Management, Law etc. offered at the university
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
US News and World Report has released Global, Regional and course level rankings for most of the top universities in the world. A few of the factors on which the universities are evaluated are Global Research Reputation, Publications, Normalized Citation Impact, Regional Research Reputation, etc. Th
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
US News and World Report is known to be a recognised leader in graduate school and college and other rankings as well. It also releases National, Global, Regional and Subject Rankings. Some of the top courses that have been ranked by US News include Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Busi
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Shiksha has ranked many courses offered at Boston University such as Engineering, Biology, Business and Management, Information Technology, Law, etc. The Shiksha Popularity rankings of some of the top courses at Boston University are given as follows:
| Course | Shiksha Popularity Rank |
|---|---|
| MS | #52 |
| Biomedical Engineering | #13 |
| Biology | #25 |
| MBA/PGDM | #61 |
| BE/BTech | #35 |
Contributor-Level 10
About the author
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| University City | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| Size of city | Medium |
| Population of City | 6,85,094 |
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