“Learn. Act. Ignite.”
Boston University (BU) is a large private research university located along the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1839, BU has grown into one of the nation's leading research universities, known for its exceptional programs in business, engineering, public health, communications, and the liberal arts. BU's urban campus stretches along Commonwealth Avenue, known as the 'World's Most Beautiful Urban University.' The university benefits directly from its location in Boston — one of the world's greatest college cities and a hub of healthcare, technology, finance, and academia. Students have access to internships at major hospitals, tech companies, financial firms, and cultural institutions throughout the city. The Questrom School of Business is a highly regarded business program with strong finance and accounting tracks. The College of Engineering is a major research center, particularly in biomedical engineering, photonics, and materials science. The College of Communication is a nationally recognized journalism and media school. BU's School of Public Health, School of Law, and School of Medicine are all highly respected. BU is known for producing distinguished alumni across many fields — professors, doctors, lawyers, journalists, diplomats, and entrepreneurs. The university's diverse student body from all 50 states and 130 countries creates a rich, cosmopolitan intellectual environment. BU's unique Boston identity — 10 miles of campus stretching along the Charles River, with Fenway Park nearby — gives students a singular urban university experience.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
QS World University Rankings
QS 2026
Times Higher Education World Rankings
THE 2025
Forbes America's Top Colleges
Forbes 2025
Journalism
US News 2026
Public Health
US News 2026
Engineering
US News 2026
Business (Undergraduate)
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Decision I
Binding; decisions mid-December
Early Decision II
Binding; decisions mid-February
Regular Decision
Decisions late March
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$64,050
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
The academic heart of BU offering a wide range of liberal arts and science programs.
A nationally ranked business school with strong programs in finance and management.
A strong engineering school with a particular focus on biomedical engineering and photonics.
A top journalism and communications school with strong industry connections.
4 years
Questrom's undergraduate business program ranks among the top 20 nationally and is integrated with Boston's finance, biotech, and consulting ecosystems. Strong cohorts in Business Analytics, Finance, and a distinctive Health Sector MBA pipeline. STEM-designated concentrations in Business Analytics available.
4 years
Top-20 nationally ranked department with direct research access to BU's Photonics Center and the Boston Medical Campus. STEM-designated and one of the most popular engineering tracks for international students seeking OPT extensions.
4 years
BU's selective, interdisciplinary four-year honors program layered on top of any major. Students live-and-learn together in Kilachand Hall, take a signature four-year core focused on ethics and inquiry, and complete a required senior Keystone project.
4 years
One of the most prestigious undergraduate communications schools in the U.S., home to a top journalism program, film/TV, and public relations. 96% of COM grads report being settled in employment/grad school within six months.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $90,207
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
