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Boston University

Boston, MA bu.edu 17,850 students

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
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 Compare across schools →
69
$71,545/yr High 2.9x
Electrical 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 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 Compare across schools →
47
$77,660/yr Moderate 2.0x
Social Sciences Studies 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 Compare across schools →
44
$45,021/yr Very High 1.7x
International Relations Compare across schools →
43
$45,870/yr High 1.8x
Design Compare across schools →
42
$49,254/yr High 0.9x
Hospitality Management Compare across schools →
40
$44,657/yr High 1.0x
Chemistry Compare across schools →
38
$39,157/yr High 0.5x
Biochemistry Compare across schools →
37
$42,850/yr High 1.9x
Sociology Compare across schools →
37
$38,457/yr High 1.8x
Health Sciences Compare across schools →
36
$42,894/yr High 1.9x
Journalism Compare across schools →
36
$42,857/yr Very High 1.8x
Biology Compare across schools →
35
$40,165/yr High 1.6x
Psychology Compare across schools →
34
$39,175/yr High 1.3x
Teacher Education 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 Compare across schools →
33
$36,705/yr Moderate 1.9x
Neuroscience Compare across schools →
32
$39,093/yr High 1.8x
Philosophy Compare across schools →
28
$40,377/yr Very High 0.5x
Physiology 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 Compare across schools →
17
$17,374/yr Moderate 1.2x
Education Compare across schools →
16
$27,891/yr High 0.1x
English Compare across schools →
15
$23,579/yr Very High 1.1x
Theater & Drama Compare across schools →
14
$21,508/yr Moderate 0.4x