Many students come to Boston University for further study due to its high reputation and strong academic ability. As for class of 2028, Boston University acceptance rate is 11%, a little higher than for class of 2027 (10.85%). Although it is hard to get into, such a school is also worth your efforts. No pains, no gains. Let’s read on to get more knowledge about Boston College acceptance rate, so as to make full preparation for your application.
Why Boston University?
Boston University is far ahead of many universities in the world in terms of academics and recognition. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, Boston University is ranked 108th. In the US News 2025 Best National University Rankings, Boston University ranks 41st. Outstanding in all aspects, Boston University attracts a large number of students from all over the world. Here are some reasons why people choose Boston University.
1. Rigorous Scholarship
With hundreds of research programs, you have access to many leading researches and cooperate with some big names in various fields. In addition, there are several combined MA/BA degrees. Thus, you can attend some courses in other colleges to show interest and extend your abilities.
2. Global Recognition
Ranked 108th in QS World University Rankings 2025, Boston University is one of the best universities in the US and even the world. If you are luckily accepted by BU, you are more likely to get a decent and well-paid job after graduation. Many companies welcome graduates from Boston University.
3. Good Location
Boston University is located in Boston, which is the capital and the biggest city in Massachusetts, and also a city of innovation. A lot of enterprises are set here, such as Santander Bank, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Google, Amazon, Facebook, General Electric, Liberty Mutual, etc. Therefore, you have more internship and job opportunities if you can study in Boston University.
An overview of Boston College acceptance rate
BU acceptance rate is 11% for class of 2028, which is a little higher than for class of 2027 (10.85%). For class of 2028, Boston University received 78,750 applications, and accepted 3,318 for a rate of 11%. Among these students, approximately 25% are first-generation students. The numbers are shocking and may deter many would-be applicants. In fact, Boston University does have a very low acceptance rate and it is very difficult to apply.
Historical trend of Boston University admission rate
Compared to previous years, University of Boston acceptance rate has also been declining, and the competition has become more fierce. As can be seen from the table below, the number of applications received is basically increasing year by year. The number of enrollments has grown from more than 60,000 in previous years to nearly 80,000 nowadays, but the number of enrollments has not increased significantly. As a result, Boston University admissions have decreased year by year, and the difficulty of getting into the school has increased.
| Years | Recieved Application | Enrollment | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2028 | 78,750 | 3,318 | 11% |
| Class of 2027 | 80,495 | 3,145 | 10.84% |
| Class of 2026 | 80,794 | 3,100 | 14.4% |
| Class of 2025 | 75,559 | 3,200 | 18.3% |
| Class of 2024 | 61,006 | 3,100 | 18.5% |
| Class of 2023 | 62,210 | 3100 | 18.1% |
BU acceptance rate for early decision [Class of 2028]
In general, the early decision (ED) application deadline is earlier than the regular application. Students who apply for ED can only choose one of the universities that implement ED policy at the same time. Once admitted, you must attend this university without any change. Boston University has two rounds of early decisions, with November 1 and January 4 deadlines this year. Please pay attention to the deadline and keep an eye on the email to avoid missing the admission information. If necessary, you can call to Boston University admissions office for more details.
For the class of 2028, about 6,850 students applied to BU through early decision, and about 34.1% were admitted. It is estimated that about 60% of the new class are students admitted via early decision. With the application becoming more difficult, more and more students seize the opportunity to apply to Boston University through early decision.
Boston College transfer acceptance rate [Class of 2028]
Transfer is another method to get into Boston University. Colleges will accept transfer students, but the number is limited. Because the admissions office focuses on high school graduates each year, transfer students are often overlooked. Boston University welcomes transfer students who love our school and will thrive in our community. We provide several pathways for you to achieve your goals. BU accepts 42.84% transfer applicants, which is competitive.
Boston University class profile: Class of 2028
Demographics
Who can enter Boston University? For the class of 2028, Boston University accepted 3,318 students among 78,750 applications this year.
| Races | Rate |
|---|---|
| White | 37% |
| Unknown | 5% |
| Black | 4% |
| Hispanic | 9% |
| Two or more races | 3% |
| Non-U.S. Citizen | 27% |
| Asian | 15% |
Entry requirements for Boston University
Do you want to be a student at Boston University? The application process at Boston University can be complicated, but we are always here to help you. This comprehensive guide gives you all the information you need about Boston University entry requirements for 2024, including GPA expectations, SAT or ACT scores, and application deadlines. Whether you are a high school student planning for further study or a transfer applicant seeking to join this prestigious university, knowing these key requirements will help you prepare a competitive application.
GPA requirements
To enter Boston University, you should gain a high school GPA of about 3.79. Of course, the higher the GPA you get, the more likely you are to be admitted. Although the average GPA required to get into Boston University is 3.79 on a four-point scale, nearly 26% of students have a perfect 4.0 GPA in high school. Because BU is a test-optional college, GPA is very important for your application.
SAT and ACT requirements
SAT and ACT scores are not required for applying to Boston University. It all depends on you. The school may consider your scores if you submit. About 23% of students choose to submit SAT scores and 12% submit ACT scores in their applications for the most recent academic year.
As for those who submit SAT scores to Boston University, the SAT score range is 1350-1500, and the Boston University average SAT is 1430 out of 1600.
SAT Range: 1350-1500
| Reading 25th Percentile | 660 |
|---|---|
| Math 25th Percentile | 690 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1350 |
Applicants Submitting SAT: 23%
| Reading 75th Percentile | 730 |
|---|---|
| Math 75th Percentile | 770 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1500 |
As for those who submit ACT scores to Boston University, the ACT score range is 31-34, and the average ACT score is 32.
ACT Range: 31-34
| Reading 25th Percentile | 32 |
|---|---|
| Math 25th Percentile | 28 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 31 |
Applicants Submitting SAT: 12%
| Reading 75th Percentile | 35 |
|---|---|
| Math 75th Percentile | 34 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 34 |
Key deadlines
Here are some application deadlines for students who plan to apply to Boston University in 2024 fall.
First-Year Regular Admission Deadlines
| Application | January 6 |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | Late March |
| Enrollment Deposit Due | May 1 |
Early Decision Deadlines
Early Decision 2 Deadlines
| Application | November 1 |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | Mid-December |
| Enrollment Deposit Due | Early-Mid January |
| School of Theatre Prescreens | December 1 |
|---|---|
| Application | January 6 |
| Notification Date | Mid-February |
| Enrollment Deposit Due | Late February |
Transfer Deadlines for September
Transfer Deadlines for January
| Application | March 15 |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | Mid-April to Mid-June |
| Application | November 1 |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | Mid-November to Mid-December |
Student charges of Boston University
Boston is one of the most expensive cities in the world, so studying in Boston University may cost a lot. You can get some information about student charges of Boston University to make preparation in advance. Here are some tuition fees and costs of living in Boston University.
Tuition and required fees
| Student Level | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $59,784 | $59,784 |
| Graduate | $54,672 | $54,672 |
Cost of undergraduate attendance
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
| On-campus room and board | $17,758 |
| On-campus other expenses | $2,600 |
Total undergraduate cost
| Total cost by category | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus | $81,342 | $81,342 |
| Off-campus without family | $60,984 | $60,984 |
| Off-campus with family | $60,984 | $60,984 |
Final thoughts on Boston University acceptance rate
In recent years, Boston University acceptance rate has declined year by year. For the 2024 application season, for example, Boston University received 78,750 applications and eventually accepted 3,318 students. The BU acceptance rate is about 11%, which hits a record low. This number shows the increasing competition for Boston University admission. A number of factors are considered during the admissions process, including academic scores, language certificates, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, personality, etc. While standardized test scores are considered, they are not the determining factor. Only by carefully preparing all these materials can you enter Boston University and realize your dream.
FAQ
Boston University acceptance rate is 11% for the Class of 2028, roughly the same as for the Class of 2027 (10.85%), but slightly lower than the Class of 2026 (14.4%).
Although Boston University acceptance rate is relatively low and is hard to get into, it is worth your efforts. Boston University has always been a first-class university for many reasons.
- Rigorous scholarship
- Global recognition
- Good location
- Break new ground
- Perfect class size
