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.

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 06/2025)

Located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, Boston College was founded in 1863. It’s a private Catholic Jesuit research university that currently has more than 15,000 students enrolled. It is well-respected for its liberal arts programs. In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranks it #37 among national universities, #6 in Best Undergraduate Teaching, and #7 in both Finance and Service Learning.

Total Cost of Attendance

Boston College cost of attendance for the 2024-25 school year was $93,168. This is considerably higher than the average for four-year private institutions in the U.S. of $60,420 per year.

Financial Aid

Just over half of the students (55%) use some form of financial aid to help with Boston College tuition, whether by taking out student loans or receiving grants or scholarships. Boston College is need-blind, which means your ability to pay for college will not impact your application.

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

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

There are two types of student loans: federal and private. At Boston College, 32% of students take out federal student loans. Boston College does not publish data about how many students take out private student loans to protect privacy.

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 College for four years, including tuition and fees, books, and room and board, the cost would be $372,672. According to CollegeData.com, it costs about $241,680 on average for four years at a private four-year institution. As you see, Boston College costs about 50% more than the national average for a private education.

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

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Boston College tuition and fees, plus books and supplies, was $71,952 in 2024-25 vs. the national average of $41,540.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Graduate students at Boston College paid, on average, $37,404 in 2024-25, including fees. This is significantly higher than the average cost for tuition for graduate school at a private institution in the United States, which is $21,730. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

Boston College lists its cost per additional credit at $2,406 per credit for extra courses.

Campus Housing Expenses

First-year students at Boston College are required to live on-campus in traditional housing. As sophomores, students can live in traditional rooms or apartment-style housing and choose their roommates. Juniors may live in an off-campus apartment, and seniors have their choice of housing across many options.

Boston College Acceptance Rate

The BC acceptance rate of 16% means that the school can be challenging to get into. It’s considered highly selective, and even well-qualified candidates may have difficulty getting in. Read on to find out what’s required.

Admission Requirements

Here’s what’s needed to apply at Boston College.

Required:

•  High school transcript

•  The School Report and Counselor Recommendation Form

•  Teacher evaluations

•  Personal statement/writing supplement

Recommended:

•  SAT or ACT scores

The deadline for Early Decision I is November 1, with a decision given by December 15. The deadline for Early Decision II is January 2 for the upcoming season, with a decision by February 15. The deadline for Regular Decision is also January 2, and applicants will be given a decision by April 1. You can apply to Boston College here .

SAT and ACT Scores

Submitting ACT or SAT test scores isn’t required for applicants for the current application cycle. However, since they are recommended, here are the test scores at the 25th and 75th percentile for Fall 2023.

Popular Majors at Boston College

Boston College offers more than 100 majors, concentrations, and minors. These are the most popular areas of study.

1. Economics

Economics students often specialize in quantitative economics, learning about economic growth, unemployment, and inflation, different market structures, and macroeconomic models they can use to analyze the national economy. They also develop solid oral and written communication skills.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 274

2. Biology

Biology students get a solid foundation in physics, chemistry, and mathematics, and can choose from a concentration including bioinformatics, cell biology and development, general biology, genetics, microbiology, or physiology and organismal biology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 219

3. Finance

Finance students at the Carroll School of Management will get a solid foundation in finance, as well as learn about accounting, corporate finance, investments, cryptocurrency, financial policy, and more. Students also have the opportunity to study abroad.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 207

4. Communication

A communication degree prepares students for careers in law, business, communication, and more. Courses include public speaking, rhetorical tradition, media ethics, and nonverbal communication.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 144

5. Computer Science

Students in this department are well-prepared for careers in computing, data mining, programming, and more. Coursework includes subjects like robotics, programming, computer security, scientific computation, and database systems.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 136

6. Psychology

The psychology major teaches students to examine human behavior by looking at history, social sciences, cognitive psychology, and civil society influences. Coursework can include such topics as theology, quantitative reasoning, and cultural diversity.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 130

7. Nursing

Nursing students at Boston College get hands-on experience in hospitals, clinics, and community agencies. They also have the opportunity to study abroad to get more experience in an international setting.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 115

8. Management Sciences

Students in this concentration study business analytics and operations management, preparing them for a career in business or pursuing a graduate degree.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 102

9. Political Science

Students in this program can choose a subfield of political science, including: American politics, comparative politics, international politics, or political theory before going on to successful careers in politics, public administration, international service, law, business, or journalism.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 95

10. Neuroscience

The faculty guides students to dive into each of these areas from multiple perspectives: from animal models and computational models to systems and cognitive neuroscience, preparing them for a career in the sciences or further study.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 82

Graduation Rate

Here is the graduation rate for students who started their studies at Boston College in 2017:

•  4 years: 88%

•  6 years: 91%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

After graduating, Boston College students earned an average salary of $103,937, which is much higher than the national average for graduates of $68,516.

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 06/2025)

Arizona State University is the top-rated institution in innovation and global impact in research, outreach, and stewardship, according to U.S. News & World Report. Plus, ASU was one of the first universities globally to achieve carbon neutrality. With a main campus on 660 acres in Tempe, Arizona (eight miles from Phoenix), this public university is currently home to more than 65,000 undergrad students.

Total Cost of Attendance

ASU’s cost of attendance is $34,175 for in-state students and $55,091 for out-of-state students as of the most recent school year data. In both cases, students would be living on campus. Compare this with current national averages of $28,840 for in-state public university students and $46,730 for out-of-state students, and you’ll see that an ASU education is more expensive than the norm.

Financial Aid

The majority of the students who are accepted (93%) receive some form of financial aid to help with the Arizona State University cost, which may include scholarships, grants, and/or student loans.

ASU provides both academic and need-based scholarships for Arizona residents, in an effort to make college education more affordable.

Explore financial aid options: Arizona 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 most ASU students who take out student loans (29%) take out federal loans to help cover the Arizona State University cost, there are also students who rely on private student loans (4%). On average, ASU students take out $25,944 in private student loans per year.

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

The total cost for four years of ASU tuition, room and board, and books and supplies for in-state students is $136,700, based on the 2024-25 school year. This is higher than the national average of $115,360.

For out-of-state students, that number is $220,364, which is also higher than the national average of $186,920 for four years.

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

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

ASU in-state tuition and fees, plus books and supplies, for the 2024-25 academic year totaled $13,543. Compared to the average annual cost for the same at a public university of $11,260, this is higher.

For ASU out-of-state tuition and fees, plus books and supplies, the total was $34,459. The national average cost for out-of-state tuition, fees, and room and board totaled $29,150. Again, an ASU education will cost more than the norm.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

ASU tuition and fees per year for graduate school was $12,562 for Arizona residents vs. the national in-state average of $10,320. The cost is $27,521 for out-of-state students for the 2024-25 school year vs. $21,730, which is the average cost of graduate school.

There are many options for graduate loans that can help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

While the ASU tuition costs we’ve covered so far are for full-time students, excess credit may be billed at $164 to $270 per credit hour in the most recent academic year. There are caps on how many extra credit hours students may take.

Campus Housing Expenses

ASU offers residential college communities, so you can live among other students who share your major, as well as traditional dorms. Freshmen are required to live on campus. Upperclassmen can opt to live off campus .

Arizona State University (ASU) Acceptance Rate

Admission Requirements

ASU has certain requirements for applicants. Some of these are mandatory, while others are recommended.

Required:

•  High school transcript

•  Possibly proof of English proficiency

Considered, but not required:

•  Secondary school rank and GPA

•  SAT/ACT scores

The deadline for Priority Admission at ASU is November 1. The Regular Admission deadline is January 15.

SAT and ACT Scores

Standardized test scores are optional for Arizona State University. Here are the average scores for the 25th and 75th percentile for those applying to ASU.

Popular Majors at Arizona State University

When it comes to degree programs, ASU has a lot to offer. In fact, there are hundreds of programs available to choose from. Here are some of the most popular programs.

1. Business

By far, the most popular degree program at ASU is business. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to dive into different aspects of business, from data analytics to entrepreneurship. If they choose, they can go on to study in the Master of Global Management degree program.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 3,290

2. Engineering

ASU offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, including aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer systems, and electrical engineering.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 1,376

3. Health Professions

There are many programs under the Health department at ASU, including Applied Science, the Business of Health Care, Global Health, Health Care Administration and Policy, Integrative Health, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 1,048

4. Psychology

Not only do psychology students get the opportunity to learn critical thinking, reasoning, quantitative research, and scientific writing in their coursework, but they also have the opportunity to work in research labs.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 972

5. Biology

ASU offers a B.S. degree in Biology, with students able to specialize in coursework areas like biomedical sciences, conservation biology and ecology, or genetics, cell and developmental biology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 909

6. Social Sciences

Students interested in Social Sciences can pursue degrees in Anthropology, African and African American Studies, Integrative Social Sciences, Religious Studies, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 734

7. Computer Science

Computer Science students have the opportunity to study such topics as cybersecurity, applied computing, biomedical informatics, applied mathematics, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 708

8. Education

Education majors can focus on early childhood, special education, multilingual learners, STEM, secondary education, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 703

9. Visual & Performing Arts

Creative types may choose to major in Art (including Ceramics, Art Studies, Art History, Printmaking, Sculpture, and more), or in Performing Arts (including Jazz, Music Theater, Voice, Performance and Movement, and more).

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 677

10. Communication

ASU offers bachelor’s degrees in Communication with an emphasis on journalism, sports communication, technical communication, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 671

Graduation Rate

Graduation rates are as follows for students who started their studies in Fall 2017:

•  4 years: 55%

•  6 years: 68%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

After graduating from ASU with a bachelor’s degree, students earn on average $62,668 per year. This is lower than the national average of $68,516.