Highly Selective
Boston University
Boston University's main campus stretches along the Charles River, offering an urban setting integrated into the city of Boston. Students are known to be ambitious and engaged, with strong programs across a wide array of disciplines, including pre-professional fields. As a large research university, BU offers resources and opportunities characteristic of a major institution, with a vibrant athletic culture as well.
Programs
34
Analyzed in dataset
Earnings
$47,393
Average graduate, 1 yr after
Outlook
40/100
Avg DegreeOutlook Score
Tuition
$65,168
Sticker price (est.)
Financial Aid
The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. Boston University's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 18% of students receive Pell Grants; 23% take federal loans.
Key Insight
Average net price across income brackets is $21,955, roughly 66% lower than the published tuition.
Net Price by Family Income
Academic Year 2025| Income Bracket | Avg Net Price | 4-Year Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $30K | $11,453 | $45,812 |
| $30K – $48K | $11,167 | $44,668 |
| $48K – $75K | $13,639 | $54,556 |
| $75K – $110K | $25,501 | $102,004 |
| $110K+ | $48,018 | $192,072 |
| Sticker price (no aid) | $65,168 | $260,672 |
Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships, by reported family-income bracket. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.
Programs at Boston University
34 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.
| Degree Program | DW Score | 1-yr Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Compare across schools → |
77
|
$90,050/yr | Very High | 4.3x |
| Computer Engineering Compare across schools → |
75
|
$93,995/yr | Very High | 4.3x |
|
Business Administration
Business Administration, Management and Operations Compare across schools → |
69
|
$71,545/yr | High | 2.9x |
|
Electrical Engineering
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Compare across schools → |
62
|
$80,528/yr | Very High | 3.3x |
| Economics Compare across schools → |
62
|
$55,733/yr | Very High | 2.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering Compare across schools → |
59
|
$76,337/yr | Very High | 2.6x |
|
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical/Medical Engineering Compare across schools → |
55
|
$69,209/yr | High | 2.8x |
| Mathematics Compare across schools → |
50
|
$64,604/yr | Very High | 1.7x |
|
Clinical Laboratory Science
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions Compare across schools → |
47
|
$77,660/yr | Moderate | 2.0x |
|
Social Sciences Studies
Social Sciences, Other Compare across schools → |
47
|
$48,243/yr | High | 2.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies Compare across schools → |
45
|
$47,349/yr | High | 2.2x |
|
Political Science
Political Science and Government Compare across schools → |
44
|
$45,021/yr | Very High | 1.7x |
|
International Relations
International Relations and National Security Studies Compare across schools → |
43
|
$45,870/yr | High | 1.8x |
|
Design
Design and Applied Arts Compare across schools → |
42
|
$49,254/yr | High | 0.9x |
|
Hospitality Management
Hospitality Administration/Management Compare across schools → |
40
|
$44,657/yr | High | 1.0x |
| Chemistry Compare across schools → |
38
|
$39,157/yr | High | 0.5x |
|
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Compare across schools → |
37
|
$42,850/yr | High | 1.9x |
| Sociology Compare across schools → |
37
|
$38,457/yr | High | 1.8x |
|
Health Sciences
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Compare across schools → |
36
|
$42,894/yr | High | 1.9x |
| Journalism Compare across schools → |
36
|
$42,857/yr | Very High | 1.8x |
|
Biology
Biology, General Compare across schools → |
35
|
$40,165/yr | High | 1.6x |
|
Psychology
Psychology, General Compare across schools → |
34
|
$39,175/yr | High | 1.3x |
|
Teacher Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Compare across schools → |
34
|
$35,281/yr | High | 1.1x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Compare across schools → |
33
|
$37,225/yr | High | 1.2x |
|
Rehabilitation Therapies
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Compare across schools → |
33
|
$36,705/yr | Moderate | 1.9x |
|
Neuroscience
Neurobiology and Neurosciences Compare across schools → |
32
|
$39,093/yr | High | 1.8x |
| Philosophy Compare across schools → |
28
|
$40,377/yr | Very High | 0.5x |
|
Physiology
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences Compare across schools → |
27
|
$35,873/yr | High | 0.4x |
| Anthropology Compare across schools → |
25
|
$26,934/yr | High | 0.0x |
| Music Compare across schools → |
18
|
$23,934/yr | High | 0.6x |
|
Fine Arts
Fine and Studio Arts Compare across schools → |
17
|
$17,374/yr | Moderate | 1.2x |
|
Education
Education, General Compare across schools → |
16
|
$27,891/yr | High | 0.1x |
|
English
English Language and Literature, General Compare across schools → |
15
|
$23,579/yr | Very High | 1.1x |
|
Theater & Drama
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Compare across schools → |
14
|
$21,508/yr | Moderate | 0.4x |
More Colleges in Massachusetts
Top-scored 4-year colleges and universities elsewhere in Massachusetts, ranked by average DegreeOutlook Score across their programs.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Buzzards Bay, MA
6 programs
69/100
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
12 programs
61/100
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Boston, MA
17 programs
61/100
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA
11 programs
60/100
Bentley University
Waltham, MA
16 programs
57/100
MCPHS University
Boston, MA
6 programs
56/100
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA
27 programs
56/100
Nichols College
Dudley, MA
6 programs
56/100