Boston University Admission
Application Fee
$80
Graduate Application Fee
$95
Acceptance Rate
10.85%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)
36.01%
Freshmen Enrollment
3,635
SAT Scores
1,470
For the 2022-2023 admission, a total of 80,796 students have applied and 11,607 students have allowed to admit to Boston University (Acceptance rate: 14.37%). BU's yield, also known as enrollment rate, is 31.32 % where 3,635 students have finally enrolled out of 11,607 admitted students.
BU acceptance rate is lower (tighter to admit) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Massachusetts. Compared to similar schools in rankings such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, its acceptance rate is much higher (very easy to get in) (the average acceptance rate of the schools is 4.59%).
BU enrollment rate (yield) is higher (more admitted-students enrolled) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Massachusetts. Compared to similar schools in rankings, its yield is much higher (highly eager to enroll) (average yield is 73.76%).
How to Apply to Boston University
The following table summarizes the contact and directory information to apply BU. BU offers benefits for veterans, service member, or qualified family members. You may need to prepare certificate of eligibility (COE ) from the Veterans Affairs .
| Admission | www.bu.edu/admissions |
|---|---|
| Online Application | www.bu.edu/admissions/apply |
| Financial Aid | www.bu.edu/finaid |
| Net Price Calculator | www.bu.edu/finaid/aid-basics/cost-of-education/net-price-calculator/ |
| Veterans Tuition | www.bu.edu/reg/general-information/veterans-services/ |
| Disability Service | www.bu.edu/disability/ |
Admission Statistics Charts
The following chart visualizes the admission statistics at BU and compares to similar schools by type, level and location.
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Test Scores Comparison
In 2023, the average SAT score at Boston University is 1,470 and the average ACT score is 33. Compared to similar schools in college rankings, the admission score of Boston University is comparable to the schools (average score is 1,546). You can check and compare the SAT and ACT scores by subject with tables and charts.
| SAT Average | ACT Average | |
|---|---|---|
| Boston University | 1,470 | 33 |
| Similarly Colleges in Rankings | 1,546 | 35 |
| All U.S. Colleges | 1,123 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges | 1,132 | 69 |
| 4-Years Colleges | 1,124 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Massachusetts | 1,237 | 81 |
SAT/ACT Scores by Subject
At Boston University, 823 students submitted SAT scores (23% of enrolled students).
The average SAT score is about 1,470 and it is higher (competitive score) than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Massachusetts. The following table shows the SAT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 660 | 700 | 730 |
| Mathematics | 690 | 740 | 770 |
| Total | 1,350 | 1,440 | 1,500 |
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)(Last update: December 11, 2023)
At Boston University, 448 students submitted ACT scores (12% of enrolled students).
The average ACT score is about 33 and it is lower than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in Massachusetts. The next table shows the ACT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 31 | 33 | 34 |
| English | 32 | 34 | 35 |
| Mathematics | 28 | 31 | 34 |
BU Admission Requirements
The following table summarizes the admission requirement to apply to Boston University. The school requires 6 items to submit - Secondary school GPA, Secondary school record, Completion of college-preparatory program, Recommendations, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), and Legacy status.
3 items are Considered if submitted - Secondary school rank, Admission test scores, and Personal statement or essay.
| Secondary school GPA | Required |
| Secondary school rank | Considered, if submitted |
| Secondary school record | Required |
| Completion of college-preparatory program | Required |
| Recommendations | Required |
| Formal demonstration of competencies | Not Considered |
| Admission test scores | Considered, if submitted |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Required |
| Work experience | Not Considered |
| Personal statement or essay | Considered, if submitted |
| Legacy status | Required |