Boston University (BU) is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts, offering both Fall and Spring intakes for international students. With over 37,000 students from 140 countries, BU has an acceptance rate of 11%. International students can apply through the Common Application or Coalition Application for undergraduate programs, and for graduate programs, they can apply through the official BU website. BU is also home to the Questrom School of Business, ranked 35th globally for MBA programs, making it a top choice for those pursuing an MBA.
For admission, international students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (equivalent to an 85% aggregate). The annual fees range from USD 39,368 to USD 63,798 (₹34,25,016 to ₹55,50,426). Undergraduates have deadlines of November 1 for early decision and January 6 for regular decision, with decisions expected by December and March, respectively. Graduate program deadlines vary, with the final MBA application due on March 12, 2025. Depending on the program, international students also need to submit TOEFL(84+), IELTS(6.5+), or GMAT/GRE scores to complete their application.
Also Check: How to Apply to Study in USA?
Boston University Admissions Deadline
Boston University offers admission into Fall and Spring intake. Fall is the most important intake among them. Additionally, the university has an acceptance rate of 11%, showing a rather competitive and selective admission process, with only a small percentage of applicants being accepted each year. To get admitted, students are advised to have strong academic credentials and ensure to apply by the specified deadlines to improve their chances of acceptance.
Below are the Boston University application deadlines 2025 are as follows:
| Application Term/Round | Deadline | Decision By |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision 1 | November 1, 2025 | Mid-December |
| Early Decision 2 | January 6, 2026 | Mid-February |
| Regular Decision | January 6, 2026 | Late March |
| Trustee and Presidential Scholarships | December 1, 2025 | - |
| Music Prescreening Recordings | December 1, 2025 | - |
| Theatre Prescreening | December 1, 2025 | - |
| Graduate Arts Programs | March 15, 2026 | - |
| Graduate Engineering Programs | March 15, 2026 | - |
| MBA | March 12, 2026 | May 2, 2026 |
Also Check: Application Deadlines for US Universities
Popular Courses of Boston University
Some of the popular Courses at the Boston University are listed below:
| Course Name | Duration | Tuition Fees (USD) | Tuition Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts [M.A] Economics | 2 years | $75,323 | ₹65,53,101 |
| Master of Arts [M.A] Psychology | 1 year | $66,670 | ₹58,00,290 |
| Master of Arts [M.A] Public Health and Social Work | 2 years | $39,368 | ₹34,25,016 |
| Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] | 2 years | $66,670 | ₹58,00,290 |
| M.B.A Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 2 years | $63,798 | ₹55,50,426 |
| M.B.A / Juris Doctor [J.D] Dual Degree | 4 years | $67,976 | ₹59,13,912 |
| Doctor of Psychology [Ph.D.] Economics | 5 years | $66,670 | ₹58,00,290 |
| Master of Science [M.S] Journalism | 2 years | $66,670 | ₹58,00,290 |
| Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Psychology | 4 years | $66,670 | ₹58,00,290 |
| Bachelor of Science [B.S] Biology | 4 years | $66,670 | ₹58,00,290 |
| Bachelor of Science [B.S] Biomedical Engineering | 4 years | $63,798 | ₹55,50,426 |
| Bachelor of Science [B.S] Computer Engineering | 4 years | $66,670 | ₹58,00,290 |
Boston University Graduate Admissions
You have the option to choose from any of the 390 graduate programs at Boston University. The application deadlines and requirements for Boston University admissions vary with the program and summarized below.
Application Portal: Online Application
Application Fees: 85 USD (7,055 INR)
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (85%)
- English language proficiency scores:
- TOEFL IBT- 84
- IELTS - 6.5
- DET - 115
- Test Scores:
- GMAT - 640-730
- GRE - 300-326
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement (200-500 words)
- Resume or CV
- Interview
Boston University MBA Admissions
Boston University MBA program is offered through the Questrom School of Business. Those pursuing the Boston MBA may choose from more than 100 electives and can also learn data analysis with an additional certificate in business analytics. Following are the admission requirements for the MBA program at BU.
Application Portal: Online Application
Application Fees: 125 USD (10,375 INR)
Admission Requirements:
- 4 year bachelor's degree with a GPA of 2.78-3.81 (81-96%)
- English language proficiency scores:
- TOEFL-IBT - 90
- IELTS - 6.5
- DET - 110
- Test Scores:
- GMAT - 640-730
- GRE - 300-326
- 1 letter of recommendation
- 3 video essays or 1 written essay (750 words)
- Personal Statement
- Updated
- Interview
- Permanent residency proof
Boston University MBA Class Profile
Check out the BU MBA Class profile 2024 mentioned below. It will give you an more clear picture on what you need to get into Boston University.
| Particulars | Full-time MBA | Part-time MBA | Online MBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Students Enrolled | 121 | 119 | 626 |
| Average Age | 29 years | 29 years | 38 years |
| Percentage of Female Students | 44% | 50% | 37% |
| Percentage of Male Students | 56% | 50% | 63% |
| Average GPA | 3.40 | 3.4 | 3.2 |
| Average GMAT Score | 701 | 670 | N.A |
| Average GRE Score | 318 | 309 | N.A |
| Average GRE Quant Score | 161 | 153 | N.A |
| Average Work Experience | 6 years | 5 years | 12 years |
Boston University Undergraduate Admissions
Students can choose from more than 70 majors and specialized academic programs for admission to Boston University. More than 78,700 applications for various undergraduate programs at Boston University were received in Fall 2024, out of which 3,268 were enrolled. Boston University admissions requirements for international students are as follows:
Application Portal: Common Application or the Coalition Application
Application Fees: 80 USD (6,640 INR)
Admission Requirements:
- High school transcripts with minimum 87% marks
- English proficiency test scores:
- TOEFL iBT - 84-100
- IELTS - 7
- DET - 110
- Test Scores:
- SAT - 1442 (average)
- ACT - 33 (average)
- Financial support documents
- Portfolio (for arts courses)
- Audition (for arts courses)
- Interview
Boston University Admission Selection Criteria
The average acceptance rate at Boston University has ranged from 14.1% to 18.3% over the last 5 years. As of Fall 2024, Boston U acceptance rate for international students is around 11%. Which means the admissions are highly competitive at the undergraduate level but moderately competitive at the graduate level. The university admits only high achieving high school graduates in its undergraduate courses, while the admission to graduate courses varies as per the department.
Boston University Admission Decision
Boston University provides admission decisions based on the application type: Early Decision applicants are notified by December 15, Early Decision 2 applicants by February 15, and Regular Decision applicants receive decisions in late March to early April.
In the fall 2024 admissions, around 42% of the admitted students submitted a SAT score between the range of 1400-1600. The GPA of admitted students was recorded to be in the range of 3.9 - 4.0 (87-100%). 86% of the accepted students were among the top 10% of their high school class.
The interview is a significant evaluation procedure that is conducted by a member of the admission committee. Boston University will send registration details for the interview to the eligible candidates. Apart from offering full-time courses on MBA, the university offers part-time, online MBA degrees and MBA+ Joint degrees.
FAQs
Ques. What are the pros and cons of campus life at Boston University?
Ans. Listed below are some Likes and Dislikes of Campus Life at Boston University:
| Likes | Dislikes |
|---|---|
| Diversity and Inclusivity: BU supports a diverse and inclusive environment, with a large international student population, offering opportunities to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds. | High Costs: The cost of living is high, especially for food, groceries, utilities, and rent, making it expensive for students. |
| Campus Location: The campus is spread across the Charles River, allowing students to attend classes in historic buildings while enjoying scenic views. | Tuition Fees: Tuition is very expensive, and the assignments can be time-consuming, adding to the financial and academic pressure. |
| Academic Programs: The academic programs at BU are diverse and well-structured, catering to various fields of study. | Limited City Life: BU's location in a college hub means there is less engagement with city life, leading to potential feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety, and loneliness, especially during harsh winters. |
| Support for International Students: BU provides strong support for international students, including help with visas and accommodation. | Harsh Winters: Winters at BU are long and extremely cold, with temperatures often dropping below -20°C, which can be challenging for students not accustomed to such weather. |
| On-Campus Jobs: On-campus jobs are competitive but available, with decent pay that helps with utilities and personal expenses. | Discrimination: A few students have reported experiences of discrimination or microaggressions based on their cultural background. |
Ques. What are the most popular majors at Boston University?
Ans. Boston University boasts of many programs across a range of disciplines. With more than 300 programs of study, some of the most popular majors include Business, Management, Marketing, Journalism, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Engineering and Social sciences.
Ques. Where can I contact for Boston University application-related queries?
Ans. For any application-related queries, international students can contact the Boston University Admissions Office. You can email them at admissions@bu.edu or call +1 617-353-2300 for assistance. They will guide you through the application process and answer any questions you have regarding admissions.
College Student Profiles
Boston University Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Application Fees | Eligibility | Financial Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M.S Actuarial Science 16 months | USD 66,670 /Yr | 85 | TOEFL-84, IELTS-6.5 | - | |
M.S Advertising 1 year | USD 66,670 /Yr | 85 | TOEFL-90, IELTS-7 | ||
| USD 66,670 /Yr | 130 | TOEFL-100, IELTS-7.0 | - | ||
M.S Bioinformatics 1 year | USD 66,670 /Yr | 95 | TOEFL-90, IELTS-7 | ||
M.P.H 2 years | USD 63,798 /Yr | - | - | - | |
MSW/MPH 3 years | Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (15th Oct 2025) | USD 40,352 /Yr | 85 | GPA:3.0,IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 100, Duolingo-130 | - |
| USD 63,798 /Yr | - | - | - | ||
M.S Financial Management 1 year | Priority Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026) | USD 66,670 /Yr | 85 | GPA:3.0,IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 90, Duolingo-115 | - |
M.S Project Management 1 year | USD 69,870 /Yr | 85 | GPA:3.0,IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 90, Duolingo-115 | - | |
B.S Biology 2 years | Early Application Decision Deadline (1st Nov 2025) Regular Application Deadline (6th Jan 2026) | USD 66,670 /Yr | 85 | TOEFL-90, IELTS-7.0 |
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Reviews
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14 Reviews Found
Likes
- BU supports diversity and inclusivity. There is a large International population which gives the opportunity to meet and interact with people from different culture and backgrounds.
- BU's campus is spread across charles river, so you get to roam around and attend classes in prestigious historic buildings.
- The academic programs are diverse and very well structured.
Dislikes
- It is way too expensive. The food, groceries etc and especially the utilities and rent is too much for a student
- The tuition is extremely expensive with challenging time constraint assignments
- There is less city life as it a part of college hub so people tend to face mental health issues - depression anxiety, loneliness due to academic pressure and harsh gloomy winters
Scholarship
- There are no scholarships for international students from Boston University. However, there were people who were there on scholarships from their own government.
- Students need to show funds, be it their own—father, mother or any family member who is sponsoring them—or via a bank loan or any of the other organisations. One needs to show around $100,000 approx. in funds, which include the tuition and living expenses.
Likes
- BU has plenty of On Campus job opportunities from Research Assistant to Teaching Assistant. The best part is other Dining part-time jobs are available only for International students.
- BU has a very huge campus with modern amenities. BU is famous for sports like Ice hockey, Football and several other sports including squash. Olympic-sized swimming pools in Agganis Arena. And of course a huge diversity at Commonwealth Avenue.
Dislikes
- Well, Boston University has its own Merchandise shop where you can buy Huddies, T-shirts, stationery, Planners, Books, electronics, and more, but it's quite expensive.
- Boston University does not offer financial aid to international students, and you cannot work off Campus.
- BU conducts lectures even during nights and many a times you have attend lectures till 9:00 PM.
Overview
In a nutshell, the admission process consists of IELTS / GRE --> Wes Course Evaluation --> Application --> Results. Here my IELTS, undergrad grades and strong application were the key things for my selection to Boston University. I started quite early to build my strong research-oriented profile for my master's in computer science. I come from a Mechanical Engineering background and did my research in computer vision, Predictive maintenance and implementing computer vision Algorithms in the Manufacturing sector. I presented my 1st research paper at the IIT BHU international conference in 2023 and submitted 2 more papers in international journals. We designed and built a Hexapod Robot with an innovation to resist the impact, Got selected for the Gujarat Council of Science and Technology and filed a patent for the design. I also hold one more patent with my professor during my undergrad for designing a welding machine for micro-welding. I highlighted all these in my resume during my application.
Likes
- I like the Part-time job at the campus system.
Dislikes
- I do not like self-registering to the class system. If a class is full and I want it, I will fail to get it.
Overview
I chose this university as this university is globally known and had a good academic curriculum. Professors are full-time professionals and part-time, helping us require an up to date practical knowledge.
Likes
- Very safe city and campus + very diverse crowd
Dislikes
- Very very expensive tuition + cost of living too unaffordable + not the best career resources
Overview
I applied to 8 schools, and got in 7 of them. I chose the top-ranked one out of the 7. Wanted to be on the East Coast because of my aspiration to work on Wall Street. Overall experience was average, I wish I had gone to a cheaper school.
Likes
- The people are very accommodating and friendly, the academics are strong and the program is well-known and reputable.
Dislikes
- Low stipend, less freedom to take courses outside the university.
Overview
I chose this university as I was familiar with the city, the reputation of the program, the professors aligned with my interest, the people seemed nice, the stipend is livable (barely), and the proximity to other big economic departments (Harvard, MIT, NBER).
Likes
- I really liked the city as it is safe and one of the biggest hubs in US. And the university was very well ranked especially for my program.
Overview
Overall I am having a great experience so far and one more thing I’d like to highlight is Boston University has a lot of opportunities for on-campus jobs so you can make some money to pay your rent and have some fun as well.
Scholarship
I received a $12000 scholarship from my program, but I didn’t have to apply separately it was given on the basis of merit.
Likes
- Course and curriculum is updated and the professors are very helpful. Most professors are part time and work in organizations during the day so some professors also refer you to their organizations. Also, we are close to MIT and Harvard and are allowed to attend their events which is a plus.
- I got 4 admits and out of those, BU’s curriculum was the best. Also, it was the highest reputed University out of my admits. My other admits were from UIC, SJSU, Santa Clara University and IIT Chicago.
Dislikes
- Campus is in the city. It has its pros as well like transportation is easy and there are a lot of off campus housing nearby. The only thing I dislike about the the university is that its very expensive. And as a city, Boston is expensive so off campus housing is also very expensive.
Overview
It was a really good and different experience. At first I thought it was very stressful but then you start liking the life here. It is definitely an experience that everyone should have once in their lifetime.
Scholarship
Unfortunately, BU does not provide scholarships.
Overview
It has the best program for project management in the country.
Scholarship
No, I didn't receive any scholarship.
Overview
High ranking for selected fields, scholarship, and ideal location (diverse and urban environment).
Scholarship
Shibulal Family Scholarship $20,000/year.
Overview
BU as this had the best research labs and faculties in my field in USA
Scholarship
No separate process. Merit based scholarship of $15,000
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| Program | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| M.S Actuarial Science | Application deadline for Fall Intake (1st Jun 2025) |
| M.S Advertising | Priority Application Deadline (1st Feb 2025) Final Application Deadline (1st May 2025) |
| L.L.M Banking and Financial Law | Application Deadline For Fall Intake (15th Apr 2025) Application Deadline For Summer Intake (1st May 2025) |
| M.S Bioinformatics | Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake (1st Apr 2025) |
| M.P.H | Application Deadline For Spring Term 2 Intake (15th Feb 2025) |
| MSW/MPH | Application Deadline for Fall 2025 Intake (1st Apr 2025) Extended Final Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake (1st Apr 2025) Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (15th Oct 2025) |
| M.S Health Sciences Education | Application Deadline For Spring Term 2 Intake (15th Feb 2025) |
| M.S Financial Management | Final Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake (15th Mar 2025) Priority Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026) |
| M.S Project Management | Application Deadline For Summer 2025 Intake (15th Feb 2025) Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake (1st Jun 2025) |
| B.S Biology | Early Application Decision Deadline (1st Nov 2025) Regular Application Deadline (6th Jan 2026) |
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