Can you get into Boston University?
Boston, MA · Private · 18,248 students Here’s the class that got in. See where your numbers land in it.
Add your GPA, or a test score, and the read appears here. Nothing you type leaves this page.
The admitted class · 2024
Here’s what it took to get in.
Acceptance rate
11.1%
SAT middle 50%
1420–1530
median 1440
ACT middle 50%
32–34
median 33
Testing
Optional
23% submitted an SAT
Graduation rate
89%
within six years
Reported by the college
What does Boston University actually read?
Colleges publish which parts of an application they weigh. It’s the most useful thing they say about admissions. Almost nobody reads it. Say the essay counts a lot here and class rank doesn’t count at all. That tells you where to put your work.
Very important
The parts of an application this school weighs most heavily.
- Grades
- Course rigor
- Essay
- Recommendations
Considered
Looked at, but not decisive on its own.
- Class rank
- Test scores
- Work experience
Not considered
Reported as playing no part in the decision.
- Legacy
From the federal IPEDS admissions survey, 2024. It records whether Boston University considers each factor, but not how heavily, and it doesn’t ask about extracurriculars, character, or demonstrated interest. Where a school publishes its Common Data Set, Spike uses that instead.
Real cost · 2024 data
What do families actually pay?
The sticker price is $86,285. Almost nobody pays it. Here’s what families pay at Boston University by income, after grants and scholarships:
- Under $30k$9,500
- $30k–$48k$9,342
- $48k–$75k$11,778
- $75k–$110k$22,517
- Over $110k$47,504
U.S. Department of Education data: average net price a year for first-time students who got aid. Your own number depends on your family’s finances.
Keep going
Keep reading about Boston University.
Harder to get into
About as selective
Common questions
What do students ask about Boston University?
What’s Boston University’s acceptance rate?
Boston University admits 11.1% of applicants (latest reported cycle: 2024).
What SAT score do you need for Boston University?
The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1420 and 1530. A score above 1530 clears the 75th percentile. Below 1420, the rest of your application has to do more of the work, or you can apply test-optional.
Is Boston University test-optional?
Yes, Boston University is currently test-optional. Send a score if it lands in or above the admitted middle 50%.
What does Boston University look for in an application?
Boston University says it weighs grades, course rigor, essay, recommendations most heavily. What it lists as not considered is worth knowing too. Work you put there doesn’t count here.
How much does Boston University actually cost?
The sticker price is $86,285. The average family pays $24,402 after aid. Families earning under $30k pay about $9,500 a year on average.
What Spike does with this
Use the Boston University read in your plan.
Spike ties your numbers to your courses, testing, essays, and activities. It does the same for the rest of your college list.
The full counselor launches in November.