Boston University Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 06/2025)

Boston University is known for its rigorous academics, and it’s been recognized as a top university. For example, U.S. News & World Report recently ranked the university as #41 nationally. This private institution is set on 140 acres in Boston, the quintessential college town, and enrolls almost 20,000 undergraduate students.

Total Cost of Attendance

Boston University’s total cost of attendance for the 2024-25 school year was $90,207, which is substantially higher (about 50% more) than the national average at private universities of $60,420 per year.

Financial Aid

More than half of the students at Boston University (55%) receive some form of financial aid. This includes loans, grants, and scholarships. While Boston University does consider financial need during the admissions process (meaning it’s not need-blind), it meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for admitted students.

Explore financial aid options: Massachusetts Student Loans & Scholarships.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

•  Scholarship Search Tool

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

While 19% of students take out federal student loans at BU to help cover the Boston University cost, 5% take out private student loans. The latter average $32,233.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

To attend Boston University for four years, including tuition, room and board, and books and other fees, the cost would be $360,828. This is substantially more than the average of $241,680 for private U.S. institutions.

Here’s some Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

The combined cost of BU tuition and fees, plus books and supplies, is $68,102 for the 2024-25 school year. Compare this to the national average of $41,540 for private colleges, and you’ll see that a Boston University education is considerably more expensive.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

To attend BU as a grad student, you’ll pay Boston University tuition of $66,670 and fees of $956, for a grand total of $67,626. Compare this to the national average of $21,730, making BU three times more expensive than the typical school.

There are many options for graduate loans available that can help you with these Boston University costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

If you opt to attend Boston University part-time, you’ll currently pay $2,183 per credit. Some of BU’s schools have different fees for tuition and credits.

Campus Housing Expenses

*Based on available apartments on the University of Boston’s off-campus housing website in June 2025.

BU offers a variety of on-campus living options, including traditional dorm rooms and multi-bedroom apartments. All freshmen are required to live on campus. BU prides itself on offering both gender-affirming and gender-neutral housing.

For upperclassmen who opt to live off-campus, there are numerous apartments vetted and approved by BU. Learn more about off campus rentals .

Boston University Acceptance Rate

The Boston University acceptance rate is low, with just 11% of applicants being accepted.

Admission Requirements

BU has certain requirements for applicants to be considered for acceptance. There are also some recommended items that might help your application.

Required:

•  High school transcript

•  Senior year grades

•  Counselor Recommendation and School Report Form

•  Personal statement or essay

Recommended:

•  SAT or ACT scores

The deadline for Early Decision at BU is November 1, with a decision given by mid-December. The deadline for Early Decision 2 is January 6, with a decision given by mid-February. For Regular Admission, the deadline is also January 6, with a decision given by late March.

SAT and ACT Scores

Standardized test scores are not required to apply to Boston University, though they may be submitted. Here are the average scores for accepted students.

Popular Majors at Boston University

BU offers more than 300 fields of study! Here are the most popular majors to consider.

1. Business Administration

In Business Administration, there are several concentrations you can choose, depending on your career path. These include Business Analytics, Information Systems, Accounting, Management & Organizations, Finance, Global Business, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Law, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 672

2. Computer Science

Computer Science students get to learn about Networks, Theory, Data Mining and Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Operating Systems, Media Computing, and Security/Cryptography. Additionally, there is an advanced program that allows you to simultaneously earn your BA and MS in Computer Science.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 283

3. Economics

There are two undergraduate degree options in this program: the general Economics BA and one in Economics and Mathematics. After getting a solid foundation in Macro- and Microeconomics, as well as Statistical Decision Making and Calculus, among other subjects, you’ll be well-prepared for a career in financial analysis, policymaking, medicine, or law.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 271

4. Psychology

BU has been praised for its psychiatry/psychology faculty research, which students have the opportunity to participate in. You’ll also have the option to study abroad in London and take on an internship in Psychology and Health Sciences there.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 271

5. Radio & Television

Are you a natural storyteller? This program teaches you how to tell stories through film, words, and music. You’ll get the chance to have hands-on experience working as an assistant on a production in camera, lighting, sound, casting, or editing.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 189

6. International Relations

Students in the International Relations program can choose their track of study. Options include Environment/Development; Foreign Policy/Security Studies; International Economics, Business, and Politics; International Systems and World Order; or Regional Politics/Cultural Anthropology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 169

7. Health Science

Health Sciences students get the chance to apply their learning of population health, global public health issues, and biological and social sciences in a clinical or public health setting.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 155

8. Public Relations and Image Management

In this Communications-focused program, students blend real-world experiences, research, and learning about ethics for individuals, government, and businesses. This degree prepares students for careers in the PR field, whether at an agency or in-house.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 150

9. Biology

Fascinated by cells, molecules, anatomy, and how humans and animals thrive? In this program, you’ll get to study various aspects of biology and prepare for a career in health sciences. It also includes in-depth study of ecology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 149

10. Political Science and Government

In this nationally ranked program, students will explore the issues that shape public life, employing both humanistic and scientific approaches. They will also analyze how political communities balance justice, power, liberty, and authority.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 142

Graduation Rate

Graduation rates are as follows for students who enrolled in Fall 2017:

•  4 years: 83%

•  6 years: 90%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

After graduating from BU, undergraduates can expect to earn an average of $103,937. This is significantly higher than the average of $68,516 for four-year schools.