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Boston University is one of the largest private, not-for-profit higher learning institutions in the US with more than 35,000 students and over 300 programs. This Boston-based university has a long-standing history of diversity, inclusion, and critical thinking. The 17 schools and colleges throughout the 3 campuses provide BU students with nearly endless opportunities for strategic career development that makes their graduates some of the most desirable candidates for employers.
Overview of Boston University (BU)
Students and alumni of Boston University have created an outstanding and undeniably vibrant academic community that has attracted some of the greatest grants, endorsements, and student bodies for decades including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Fulbright Scholars, Presidential Award winners, and Martin Luther King, Jr. These revolutionary thinkers are just a few examples of the greatness students can expect to be a part of with a degree from BU.
The student to teacher ratio of ten to one, and the wide array of educational offerings make Boston University a highly desirable private education. The student body is made up of individuals from all over the US and the world with roughly 75% of undergraduate students living on campus and access over 450 student organizations and activities. All students will have the opportunity to explore programs on six continents and study abroad programs in addition to the three campus locations in Boston, including the Charles River Campus, Medical Campus, and Fenway Campus.
General Information
School Type | Private not-for-profit |
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Campus Setting | City: Large |
Campus Housing | Yes |
Student Faculty Ratio | 10:1 |
Graduation Rate | 88% |
Year Founded | 1839 |
Student Enrollment
Total Students34,657
18,515
16,142
Undergraduate Student
Male 7,406
Female 11,109
Graduate Student
Male 6,457
Female 9,685
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Top Rankings For Boston University
BU Acceptance Rate and Admissions
APPLICATION64,481
ACCEPTANCE14,186
Acceptance Rate22%
Enrollment 3,546
Admissions | |
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Application Fee | $80 |
High School GPA | Required |
High School Rank | Required |
High School Transcripts | Required |
College Prep Courses | Required |
Recommendations | Required |
SAT/ACT | Required |
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Required |
Application Deadline | December 2 |
Common Application Accepted | Yes |
BU Tuition Cost & Financial Aid
The average net price of Wesleyan University is around $29,000. Costs are directly impacted by the fact it is a private, not-for-profit university, the small size of the school, and a large ratio of professors to students. Tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students is right around $56,000 without financial aid, scholarships, grants, etc. Nearly 60% of all Boston University students receive some form of financial aid to help lower the overall costs of a degree. Students can also expect to pay an additional $18,000 or more for room, board, books, and supplies. The good news is that Boston University receives over $27 million in grants and scholarships. Of the $260 million in financial aid awarded each year, 91% is given to students on a financial need basis.
It is important to note that additional costs will be associated with a degree that are not included in the costs previously mentioned. Students will require additional funds to support any entertainment not offered for free by the university, including nightlife and off-campus restaurants. Due to the location of BU in Boston, a city with endless options for entertainment and activities, and its proximity to several major cities, students often enjoy nights out around Boston to interact with students at other local universities and to take trips to nearby cities.
Average net price | 2017-2018 |
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Net Price | $29,154 |
Average Total Aid | $41,036 |
Students Receiving Financial Aid | 58% |
Room & Board | $16,160 |
Sticker Price
- Tuition In-State - $55,892
- Tuition Out-of-State - $55,892
- Books and Supplies - $1,000
- Room & Board - $16,160
- Other - $1,950
Academics
Students at Boston University can select from a wide range of educational opportunities including engineering, health and rehabilitation sciences, business, law, medicine, education, social work, the arts, hospitality administration, and more. Undergraduates and graduate students also have access to additional academic areas such as military education, physical education, recreation and dance, as well as summer terms and study abroad initiatives.
Graduates have an impressive four-year graduation rate of 84% and a six-year graduation rate of 88%. The well-rounded and premier experience at Boston University secures a 94% retention rate amongst the student population and a growing percentage of students are electing to participate in online degree programs as they become available.
The entire academic experience at BU is enhanced by student and career-boosting organizations, such as professional organizations and special-interest organizations. Each year, students participate in over 80,000 hours of community service as a way to give back to the community. The alumni network covers most of the US and over 180 countries. Students can participate in sports in several ways including varsity, club, and intramural.
Retention
Rate
4 year
Graduation
Rate
6 year
Graduation
Rate
Student Population Total
Student Population 34,657
18,515
16,142
Most Popular Programs & Majors
(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)
All Business Majors | 862 Total Graduates / 19% |
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Business Administration and Management, General | 778 Graduates |
Hospitality Administration/Management, General | 82 Graduates |
Hospitality Administration/Management, Other | 2 Graduates |
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs | 731 Total Graduates / 16% |
Communication, General | 427 Graduates |
Radio and Television | 182 Graduates |
Journalism | 122 Graduates |
All Social Science Majors | 639 Total Graduates / 14% |
Economics, General | 237 Graduates |
International Relations and Affairs | 206 Graduates |
Political Science and Government, General | 109 Graduates |
Sociology | 36 Graduates |
Anthropology | 25 Graduates |
All Biological & Biomedical Majors | 422 Total Graduates / 9% |
Neuroscience | 111 Graduates |
Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 93 Graduates |
Physiology, General | 77 Graduates |
Molecular Biology | 57 Graduates |
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 52 Graduates |
All Engineering Majors | 389 Total Graduates / 9% |
Mechanical Engineering | 143 Graduates |
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering | 128 Graduates |
Computer Engineering, General | 79 Graduates |
Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 38 Graduates |
Engineering, General | 1 Graduates |
All Other Diplomas | 33% |
Outcome & Salary
Boston University graduates have one of the highest employment rates and graduate program placement percentages in the country at 96%. Part of this success can be attributed to the thousands of internships and job opportunities posted by potential employers on campus. The university also offers a Center for Career Development where students learn the best way to create an impactful resume, the ideal delivery of an elevator pitch, effective networking, and successful negotiating. Recent graduates can expect to earn around $62,000 in their early careers.
As a BU student, individuals have access to 600 employers at campus career fairs and nearly unlimited internship opportunities. Graduates go on to work for some impressive and reputable companies and organizations across the country including Amazon, the Boston Celtics, Dunkin’ Brands, ESPN, Google, JetBlue, Liberty Mutual, NBCUniversal, Nike, Tesla, and The White House.
Graduates Salary | |
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College Grads Early Career Salary | $62,000 |
College Grads Average Salary | $76,000 |
College Grads Mid Career Salary | $123,700 |
Return on Investment (ROI) | |
---|---|
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $760,000 |
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $1,997,000 |
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year | $116,616 |
10 Year Projected ROI | $643,384 |
20 Year Projected ROI | $1,880,384 |
No College Education Salary Comparison | |
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National Average Salary | $38,792 |
10 Year Projected Income | $387,920 |
20 Year Projected Income | $775,840 |
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