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What are your chances at Boston University?

Boston, MA · Private · 18,248 students

11%admitted
11.1% acceptance rate

For most students, this is a reach.

Out of every 100 applicants, about 11 are admitted.

SAT range of admitted students1420–1530
400
1600

Where does your SAT fall? Find out your real chances →

Is Boston University a reach, target, or safety for you?

That depends on your full profile — not just this school’s averages. IvyscoreAI reads your grades, essay, and activities and gives you an honest score plus your real odds here.

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What Boston University actually costs — and what graduates earn

Published by the U.S. Department of Education. Real reported figures, not estimates.

Average net price
$24,402
per year, after grants · sticker $86,285
Median earnings
$83,238
10 years after entering
Graduation rate
88.7%
finish within six years
Median debt
$23,250
at graduation · about $246/month

What families actually paid, by income

Under $30,000$9,500
$30,000 – $48,000$9,342
$48,000 – $75,000$11,778
$75,000 – $110,000$22,517
Over $110,000$47,504

Average annual net price paid by students receiving federal aid. For your own family, Boston University’s net price calculator is the authoritative figure.

About admissions at Boston University

Boston University accepts about 11.1% of applicants, placing it among the most competitive schools in the country. At this level, strong grades and scores are the baseline — your essays, activities, and overall story are what actually separate admits from denials.

Admitted students typically score between 1420 and 1530 on the SAT, or 32–34 on the ACT. Falling below that range doesn’t disqualify you — it means the rest of your application needs to carry more weight.

The number that actually matters isn’t this school’s average — it’s how your specific application measures up. That’s what IvyscoreAI tells you.

Get your honest chances at Boston University

A real score out of 100, your per-school odds, and exactly what to fix — free, in about 30 seconds.

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Admissions data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Rates and score ranges reflect recent reported years and may change.