Boston University

Getting in is the hard part. Boston University admitted 11.1% of applicants in its most recent reported class, one of the lowest rates in the country. Realistically it is a reach for every applicant, no matter how strong.

Admitted students cluster near the top of the testing range: the middle 50% score 1420–1530 on the SAT and 32–34 on the ACT. Scores at or above that band keep you in contention, but they do not decide it.

The real question is not your odds but your move. That is where Spike comes in: it reads your profile against what Boston University actually rewards, and tells you what to do next.

Check your own numbers against this class →

Whatever you're seeking from your college experience, you'll find it at BU.

The University offers a wide range of degree programs from A to Z, covering over 350 graduate programs and numerous undergraduate majors and minors.

• Acting (BFA)BFA, Theatre
• Biomedical Engineering (BS)BS, minor, MEng, MS, PhD
• African American & Black Diaspora Studies (BA)BA, minor, CAS

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• Testingoptional (2027 cycle)

Verified from bu.edu.

The current prompts, straight from the application. These change year to year, so most guides you will find are a cycle behind.

• What about being a student at BU most excites you?

  Up to 300 words

• Boston University is dedicated to our founding principles: "that higher education should be accessible to all and that research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice should be conducted in the service of the wider community-local and international. These principles endure in the University's insistence on the value of diversity in its tradition and standards of excellence and its dynamic engagement with the City of Boston and the world." With this mission in mind, please respond to the following question in 300 words or less: What about being a student at BU most excites you? How do you hope to contribute to our campus community?

  Up to 300 words

• What about the Kilachand Honors College resonates with you, and how would Kilachand's curriculum fulfill your academic, creative, intellectual, and/or professional goals?

  Up to 600 words

• If you could create a new Kilachand course, what would it be? How would your imagined course align with the core values of Kilachand?

  Up to 600 words

Every prompt, with how to approach each →

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The sticker price is about $86,285, but that is not what most families pay. After need-based aid, the average net price is $24,402.

Financial aid is designed to meet 100% of demonstrated full need for admitted students, ensuring opportunity regardless of family means.

Ten years after enrolling, graduates earn a median of $83,238.

Verified from bu.edu and the U.S. Department of Education.

“Join a literary club, attend a comedy show, or start your own rocket club, a Tuesday here is always full of possibilities.”

From Ad Club to Zen Community, the Charles River Campus buzzes with activity, while the Medical Campus offers specialized lectures.

Is Boston University test-optional?

For the 2027 application cycle, standardized testing at Boston University is optional.

How hard is it to get into Boston University?

Very hard. Boston University admits 11.1% of applicants, and the middle 50% of admitted students score 1420 to 1530 on the SAT. Treat it as a reach for every applicant.

How much does Boston University cost?

The list price is about $86,285, but the average price families actually pay after aid is $24,402.

Is Boston University worth it?

Graduates earn a median of $83,238 ten years after enrolling, and 89% graduate within six years. Value depends on your aid offer and your goals, which is exactly what Spike helps you weigh.