Boston University (BU) is a prestigious private research university in Boston, consistently ranked among the top global institutions. BU holds strong positions in various rankings, including #108 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and #75 in the THE World University Rankings for overall academic excellence. The university offers top-tier programs in diverse fields such as Computer Science (#107 by QS), Psychology (#57 by QS), and Engineering (#126-150 by THE), making it a great choice for international students seeking quality education.

BU’s reputation extends to specialized programs as well, with Medicine ranked #56 by QS, Business (#23 for Economics by QS), and Law (#75 by THE) among the best worldwide. The university is also recognized by other major ranking bodies, including US News (#41 National Universities) and CWUR (#47 National Rank), further cementing its status as a leading institution. For international students, BU offers a range of opportunities in research, academics, and extracurriculars, ensuring a world-class education and enriching student experience.


Boston University World Rankings

Boston University has secured its position among the top 100 universities in the world according to several ranking agencies. The global ranking trends of Boston University as per various leading ranking agencies are as follows:​

Ranking Body 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021
QS World University Rankings #108 #93 #108 #112 #110
US News and World Report Best National Universities #73 #70 #65 #57
CWUR #92 #99 #94 #91
THE World University Rankings #75 #78 #71 #62 #54
ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) #101-150 #101-150 #101-150 #95

Boston University Engineering Rankings

Boston University stands at #151-200 in the current QS WUR by subject for Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The ranking trends of some engineering courses in Boston University are as follows:

Ranking Body Program Ranking 2025 Ranking 2024 Ranking 2023 Ranking 2022 Ranking 2021
THE Rankings Engineering and Technology #126-150 #151-175 #126-150 #151-175 #151-175
QS World University Rankings Mechanical Engineering #251-300 #251-300 #201-250 #201-250 #201-250
Electrical and Electronic Engineering #151-200 #151-200 #151-200 #147 #151-200
Engineering and Technology #170 #182 #193 #179 #155
ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) Biotechnology #301-400 #201-300 #101-150 #151-200
Remote Sensing #46 #24 #14 #15
Environmental Science and Technology #101-150 #101-150 #101-150 #101-150
Materials Science and Technology #401-500 #201-300 #201-300
Automation and Control #151-200 #151-200 #151-200 #101-150
Biomedical Engineering #151-200 #201-300 #151-200 #151-200
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology #301-400 #201-300 #151-200
Electrical and Electronic Engineering #201-300 #101-150 #51-75 #51-75

Boston University Computer Science Rankings

Computer Science courses in Boston University are ranked among the top 150 by both QS and THE rankings. The table below consists of the ranking trends of Boston University computer science courses:

Ranking Body Program Ranking 2025 Ranking 2024 Ranking 2023 Ranking 2022 Ranking 2021
QS World University Rankings Computer Science and Information Systems #107 #113 #98 #92 #92
THE Rankings Computer Science #101-125 #91 #101-125 #101-125 #101-125
ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) Computer Science and Engineering #201-300 #201-300 #201-300 #201-300

Boston University Science Rankings

Boston University occupies the 57th position in QS WUR for its Psychology program. The university ranks among the top 125 universities in the world for Physical Science programs. Check out the science ranking trends of Boston University in the following chart and table:

Ranking Body Program Ranking 2025 Ranking 2024 Ranking 2023 Ranking 2022 Ranking 2021
QS World University Rankings Biological Sciences #79 #98 #97 #95 #91
Natural Sciences #173 #174 #140 #142 #131
Geophysics #151-200 #201-240 #151-200 #151-200 #151-200
Physics and Astronomy #113 #112 #101 #97 #111
Mathematics #101 #107 #124 #119 #143
Material Sciences #201-250 #201-250 #151-200 #151-200 #151-200
Geography #151-200 #201-240 #101-150 #101-150 #101-150
Environmental Sciences #114 #151-200 #151-200 #151-200 #101-150
Psychology #57 #52 #55 #61 #76
Chemistry #173 #151-200 #151-200 #151-200 #151-200
Earth and Marine Sciences #151-200 #201-250 #151-200 #151-200 #151-200
THE Rankings Psychology #59 #57 #48 #51 #54
Life Sciences #64 #72 #75 #68 #58
Physical Sciences #101-125 #101-125 #101-125 #85 #101-125
ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) Earth Sciences #76-100 #101-150 #101-150 #101-150
Geography #201-300 #101-150 #151-200 #101-150
Physics #76-100 #101-150 #201-300 #101-150
Atmospheric Sciences #151-200 #101-150 #101-150 #101-150
Ecology #201-300 #101-150 #101-150 #101-150
Chemistry #301-400 #301-400 #201-300 #201-300
Mathematics #301-400 #401-500 #201-300 #201-300

Boston University Medical Science Rankings

Boston University’s medical science rankings include its Medicine program occupying the 56th rank in QS World University Rankings. Some health science related courses in BU and their ranking trends are demonstrated as follows:

Ranking Body Program Ranking 2025 Ranking 2024 Ranking 2023 Ranking 2022 Ranking 2021
QS World University Rankings Medicine #56 #51 #54 #57 #55
Dentistry #45 #47 #51-80 #29 #32
Pharmacy and Pharmacology #101-150 #101-150 #101-150 #101-150 #101-150
ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences #301-400 #76-100 #51-75 #76-100
Medical Technology #76-100 #151-200 #151-200 #151-200
Clinical Medicine #101-150 #76-100 #76-100 #76-100
Public Health #24 #27 #26 #23
Dentistry and Oral Sciences #76-100 #39 #44 #50
THE Rankings Clinical, pre-clinical, and health #36 #41 #48 #45 #38

Boston University Business Rankings

QS World University Rankings featured Boston University at the 23rd position for Economics and Econometrics. BU is one of the top 65 universities for Business and Economics according to THE Rankings. Check out the business course ranking trends of BU:

Ranking Body Program Ranking 2025 Ranking 2024 Ranking 2023 Ranking 2022 Ranking 2021
QS World University Rankings Business and Management Studies #78 #95 #82 #90 #102
Accounting and Finance #70 #75 #74 #70 #75
Economics and Econometrics #23 #32 #22 #27 #28
THE Rankings Business and Economics #45 #65 #54 #37 #34
ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) Management #51-75 #40 #51-75 #51-75
Economics #20 #27 #27 #28
Business Administration #201-300 #201-300 #41 #43
Finance #76-100 #51-75 #76-100 #51-75

Boston University Humanities Rankings

Boston University is ranked among the top 100 institutes for Arts and Humanities courses according to QS WUR. The ranking trends of arts and humanities programs in Boston University are as follows:

Ranking Body Program Ranking 2025 Ranking 2024 Ranking 2023 Ranking 2022 Ranking 2021
QS World University Rankings Law and Legal Studies #75 #92 #101-150 #101-150 #98
Communication and Media Studies #51-100 #51-100 #51-100 #51-100 #51-100
Arts and Humanities #106 #88 #88 #111 #96
History #101-150 #151-200 #151-200 #151-200 #151-200
Education and Training #101-150 #86 #101-150 #101-150 #101-150
Sociology #101-150 #101-150 #101-150 #101-150 #151-200
Social Sciences and Management #69 #65 #64 #82 #76
Philosophy #51-100 #51-100 #51-100 #51-100 #51-100
Linguistics #151-200 #151-200 #151-200 #101-150 #101-150
Social Policy and Administration #101-150 #51-100 #51-100 #51-100 #51-100
Performing Arts #101-150 #51-100 #51-100 #51-100
Politics #101-150 #101-150 #101-150 #101-150 #101-150
Modern Languages #101-150 #101-150 #101-150 #101-150 #101-150
English Language and Literature #101-150 #101-150 #85 #90 #73
THE Rankings Social Sciences #101-125 #101-125 #101-125 #89 #90
Law #83 #90 #83 #97 #78
Arts and Humanities #126-150 #126-150 #126-150 #101-125 #101-125
Education #101-125 #151-175 #201-250 #151-175 #101-125
ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) Political Sciences #101-150 #76-100 #51-75 #51-75
Communication #36 #34 #42 #51-75
Sociology #38 #42 #44 #45
Hospitality and Tourism Management #101-150 #76-100 #51-75 #51-75
Law #51-75 #32 #25 #31

Boston University Miscellaneous Rankings

Boston University’s overall standing is evident from the following miscellaneous rankings by various reputed agencies:

Ranking Body Parameter Ranking 2024-25
QS WUR Sustainability Ranking #267
US News and World Report National Universities #41
Best Value Schools #25
Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #49
Economics #37
Most Innovative Schools #63
Study Abroad #18
Top Performers on Social Mobility #118
THE World University Rankings World Reputation Rankings #75
CWUR National Rank #47
Employability Rank #112
Faculty Rank #199
Education Rank #433
Research Rank #82

The Forbes list features Boston University in the list of top 50 US institutions and research universities. The Niche rankings have recently ranked Boston University at #7 for Design and #8 for studying Communication, nationally. With global ranks among the top 100 institutes in the world, Boston University has made its marks among the best universities to study abroad.