BOSTON UNIVERSITY (BU)
- One Silber Way
- Boston, MA 02215
- OPEID College Code: 00213000
-
GET MORE INFORMATION
- General Phone: (617) 353-2000
- President: Robert A. Brown
- Type: Private Not-For-Profit, 4-Year or Above
- Calendar System: Semester
- Highest Degree: Doctoral - Research & Professional
- Local Area: Large City
- Student Enrollment: 31,960
- College Alias: BU, Boston U
- College Mascot: Terriers
- Write First Review!
-
*Not all of the programs above may be offered
Boston University (BU) is a top-ranked, private institution of higher education located in Boston, Massachusetts. BU offers undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs in more than 250 fields of study and is particularly known for its interdisciplinary programs, leading research, and excellent faculty. Its faculty includes several Nobel Prize winners, a poet laureate, and a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation "Genius Award."
BU's main campus is its Charles River Campus, and its Medical Campus is nearby. The total campus area is 133 acres, supporting 320 buildings, 487 classrooms, 23 libraries and more than 2,000 laboratories. Despite its physical size, BU strives to have smaller class sizes, with a ratio of one teacher per 13 students. The average class size for undergraduates is 27 students.
History
Boston University was established in 1869.
Academics
Boston University (BU) follows the semester academic calendar, with fall, spring and summer semesters. BU offers 250 different programs of study from its 17 colleges and schools.
Colleges and Schools
- College of Arts & Sciences
- Graduate School of Arts & Science
- College of Communication
- College of Engineering
- College of Fine Arts
- College of General Studies
- College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College
- Metropolitan College
- Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
- School of Education
- School of Hospitality Administration
- School of Law
- School of Management
- School of Medicine
- School of Public Health
- School of Social Work
- School of Theology
Student Life
Boston University has 80% of its undergraduates living on campus, which means there is a strong student community on campus. Additionally, BU has more than 500 student activity groups that include academic, social, athletic, artistic, scientific and religious interests. BU is host to many annual events, including lectures and debates, music, comedy and drama.
There are several student publications, as well as WTBU, the student-run radio station, that encourage student participation. A good way for students to connect with others, navigate the academic requirements or find out what's happening on and around campus is to access "Student Central" online. This online resource provides access to academic bulletins, course descriptions, registration information, student health services, libraries, the student union, student links, a blackboard, the BU Bus schedule, BU maps, BU Bookstore hours, important dates, classes and amenities available at the FitRec Center, and more.
Athletics
The Boston University athletics department participates in 23 varsity sports. The team mascot is the Boston Terrier, and BU's athletic teams are known as "The Terriers."
Men's Sports:
- Basketball
- Crew
- Cross Country
- Ice Hockey
- Soccer
- Swimming & Diving
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Wrestling
Women's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Field Hockey
- Golf
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Rowing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming & Diving
- Tennis
- Track & Field
Community Life
The BU community is vibrant and busy, with a full calendar of activities to choose from including exhibits, lectures, social gatherings, year-round events offered at the Agganis Arena, performances at the Huntington Theatre Company, and more. The FitRec Center offers individual or group exercise classes and state-of-the-art facilities for fitness and recreation.
- Student Services
- Academic or Career Counseling Services Offered
- Employment Services Offered
- Placement Services For Graduates Offered
- Special Learning Opportunities
- Distance Learning Opportunities
- Study Abroad Opportunities
- Weekend / Evening Classes Available
- Teaching K-12 Certification Offered Can Complete Preparation With Specialization State Approved for Certification
- ROTC Army Navy Air Force
- Website
- www.bu.edu

- Mission Statement
- Click To Read Mission Statement
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
- Facilities and Programs Offered
- Library Available
- Grants Medical Degree
- College Carnegie Classifications
- Basic Classification Research Universities (Very High Research Activity)
- Undergraduate Classification Balanced Arts & Sciences/Professions, High Graduate Coexistence
- Graduate Classification Comprehensive Doctoral with Medical/Veterinary
- Undergraduate Profile Classification Full-Time Four-Year, More Selective, Lower Transfer-In
- Enrollment Classification Majority Undergraduate
- Size Classification Large Four-Year, Highly Residential

Boston University
Boston University - Mugar Library

Boston University Open 2007
Boston University School of Theatre - The Glass Menagerie

Boston University Dear Abbeys 1
Boston University Dear Abbeys 4

Boston University: Agganis Arena - Boston University Players in the NHL
Boston University Dear Abbeys 2

Boston University Dear Abbeys 3
boston university grad
- Follow @BostonUNews on

- Admission Links
- Admissions: www.bu.edu
- Online Application: Apply Online
- Admission Fees Fall 2008
- Undergraduate Application Fee: $75.00
- Graduate Application Fee: $70.00
- College Credits Accepted
- AP Credit
- Applicant Considerations
- High School or Secondary School GPA Required
- High School or Secondary School Rank Required
- High School or Secondary School Record Required
- College Preparatory Program Completion Required
- Recommendation Consideration Required
- Formal Demonstration of Competencies Required
- Admission Test Scores (SAT ®, ACT ®, ...) Required
- TOEFL Required
| Male | Female | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Applicants | 15,420 | 22,590 | 38,010 |
| Number Granted Admission (%) | 8,073 (52%) | 12,567 (56%) | 20,640 (54%) |
| Number Admitted Who Enrolled (%) | 1,643 (20%) | 2,488 (20%) | 4,131 (20%) |
| Number | Percent (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| SAT ® Exam | 3,736 | 90% |
| ACT ® Exam | 1,459 | 35% |
| 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | |
|---|---|---|
| SAT ® Critical Reading | 580 | 670 |
| SAT ® Math | 600 | 690 |
| SAT ® Writing | 590 | 680 |
| ACT ® Composite | 25 | 30 |
| ACT ® English | 26 | 30 |
| ACT ® Math | 26 | 31 |
- Financial Aid Links and Information
- Website: BU Financial Aid Office
- FAFSA Student Aid: Apply Online
- Percent of Students Receiving Financial Aid: 63%
| Loan | Federal Grant | State/Local Grant | Institutional Grant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (%) of Students Receiving | 51% | 12% | 7% | 54% |
| Avg Amount Receiving | $7,909 | $5,831 | $2,311 | $21,490 |
| 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default Rate (%) | 0.9% | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Number in Default | 52 | 29 | 27 |
| Number in Repayment | 5,305 | 5,166 | 4,575 |
| 2009-10 | 2008-09 | 2007-08 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition, Fees and Other Expenses | |||
| In-District Tuition and Fees | $38,440 | $37,050 | $35,418 |
| In-State Tuition and Fees | $38,440 | $37,050 | $35,418 |
| Out of State Tuition and Fees | $38,440 | $37,050 | $35,418 |
| Books and Supplies | $940 | $860 | $840 |
| Housing Expenses | |||
| On Campus | |||
| Room and Board | $11,848 | $11,418 | $10,950 |
| Other Expenses | $1,772 | $1,772 | $1,692 |
| Off Campus | |||
| Room and Board | $11,848 | $11,418 | $10,950 |
| Other Expenses | $1,772 | $1,772 | $1,692 |
| Off Campus with Family | |||
| Other Expenses | $5,520 | $1,772 | $5,342 |
| Total Expenses | |||
| On Campus | |||
| In-District | $53,000 | $51,100 | $48,900 |
| In-State | $53,000 | $51,100 | $48,900 |
| Out of State | $53,000 | $51,100 | $48,900 |
| Off Campus | |||
| In-District | $53,000 | $51,100 | $48,900 |
| In-State | $53,000 | $51,100 | $48,900 |
| Out of State | $53,000 | $51,100 | $48,900 |
| Off Campus with Family | |||
| In-District | $44,900 | $43,400 | $41,600 |
| In-State | $44,900 | $43,400 | $41,600 |
| Out of State | $44,900 | $43,400 | $41,600 |
- Overall Student Enrollment
- Total Student Enrollment: 31,960 Undergraduate: 18,283 Graduate: 13,677
- Student Gender
- Total Student Gender Male: 13,652 Female: 18,308
- Undergraduate Gender Male: 7,402 Female: 10,881
- Graduate Gender Male: 6,250 Female: 7,427
- Student Attendance
- Total Student Attendance Full-Time: 25,745 Part-Time: 6,215
- Undergraduate Attendance Full-Time: 16,810 Part-Time: 1,473
- Graduate Attendance Full-Time: 8,935 Part-Time: 4,742
| Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Resident Alien | 4,560 | 14% |
| American Indian | 96 | 0.3% |
| Black | 1,047 | 3% |
| Asian | 3,349 | 10% |
| Hispanic | 1,654 | 5% |
| White | 13,892 | 43% |
| Unknown | 7,362 | 23% |
| Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| Age Under 18 | 155 | 0.5% |
| Ages 18-19 | 7,043 | 22% |
| Ages 20-21 | 8,077 | 25% |
| Ages 22-24 | 5,167 | 16% |
| Ages 25-29 | 5,917 | 19% |
| Ages 30-34 | 2,564 | 8% |
| Ages 35-39 | 1,227 | 4% |
| Ages 40-49 | 1,240 | 4% |
| Ages 50-65 | 559 | 2% |
| Age Over 65 | 11 | 0.03% |
| Total | Full-Time | Part-Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Employees | 9,625 | 7,721 | 1,904 |
| Faculty Status | 4,200 | 2,621 | 1,579 |
| Tenured Faculty | 671 | 660 | 11 |
| Graduate Assistants | 2,417 | - | 2,417 |
| Instruction, Research and/or Public Service | 4,200 | 2,621 | 1,579 |
| Primarily Instruction | 3,789 | 2,496 | 1,293 |
| Primarily Research | 411 | 125 | 286 |
| Executive, Administrative and/or Managerial | 1,093 | 1,052 | 41 |
| Other Professionals | 2,302 | 2,144 | 158 |
| Technical and/or Paraprofessional | 2,030 | 1,904 | 126 |
| Clerical And Secretarial | 682 | 646 | 36 |
| Skilled Crafts | 135 | 134 | 1 |
| Service and/or Maintenance | 762 | 705 | 57 |
| Total | Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/10 Month Contract | |||
| All Faculty | $100,634 (1,313) | $109,011 (858) | $84,838 (455) |
| Professor | $140,102 (445) | $142,214 (362) | $130,889 (83) |
| Associate Professor | $94,420 (332) | $96,622 (222) | $89,977 (110) |
| Assistant Professor | $82,176 (249) | $83,314 (138) | $80,760 (111) |
| Instructor | $53,041 (17) | $51,630 (10) | $55,057 (7) |
| Lecturer | $51,572 (157) | $54,000 (73) | $49,462 (84) |
| 11/12 Month Contract | |||
| All Faculty | $126,862 (233) | $141,238 (129) | $109,030 (104) |
| Professor | $175,205 (72) | $179,557 (51) | $164,635 (21) |
| Associate Professor | $126,166 (48) | $133,179 (28) | $116,347 (20) |
| Assistant Professor | $99,560 (34) | $107,667 (13) | $94,542 (21) |
| Instructor | $45,682 (5) | $39,600 (3) | $54,805 (2) |
| Lecturer | $69,338 (3) | - (-) | $69,338 (3) |
| Equated 9 Month Contract | |||
| All Faculty | $101,111 (1,546) | $109,867 (987) | $85,651 (559) |
| Professor | $140,555 (517) | $142,795 (413) | $131,660 (104) |
| Associate Professor | $95,533 (380) | $98,004 (250) | $90,780 (130) |
| Assistant Professor | $82,090 (283) | $83,725 (151) | $80,218 (132) |
| Instructor | $49,481 (22) | $47,192 (13) | $52,787 (9) |
| Lecturer | $51,669 (160) | $54,000 (73) | $49,713 (87) |
- Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (Ncaa)
| Total | Men's Teams | Women's Teams | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athlete Student Aid | |||
| Total Aid | $12,373,138 | $4,645,944 | $7,727,194 |
| Ratio (%) | 100% | 38% | 62% |
| Participants | |||
| All Athletes | 641 | 299 | 342 |
| Unduplicated Athletes | 526 | 237 | 289 |
| Basketball | 31 | 17 | 14 |
| All Track Combined | 193 | 105 | 88 |
| Field Hockey | 29 | - | 29 |
| Golf | 6 | - | 6 |
| Ice Hockey | 49 | 26 | 23 |
| Lacrosse | 28 | - | 28 |
| Rowing | 134 | 64 | 70 |
| Soccer | 57 | 29 | 28 |
| Softball | 18 | - | 18 |
| Swimming and Diving | 54 | 25 | 29 |
| Tennis | 18 | 9 | 9 |
| Wrestling | 24 | 24 | - |
| Coaches Salaries | |||
| Head Coaches | - | $107,717 | $80,014 |
| Assistant Coaches | - | $50,048 | $34,041 |
| Coaches | |||
| All Coaches | 77 | 34 | 43 |
| Basketball | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Head Coaches | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| All Track Combined | 14 | 7 | 7 |
| Head Coaches | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Assistant Coaches | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Field Hockey | 3 | - | 3 |
| Head Coaches | 1 | - | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | 2 | - | 2 |
| Golf | 2 | - | 2 |
| Head Coaches | 1 | - | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | 1 | - | 1 |
| Ice Hockey | 9 | 5 | 4 |
| Head Coaches | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Lacrosse | 3 | - | 3 |
| Head Coaches | 1 | - | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | 2 | - | 2 |
| Rowing | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Head Coaches | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Soccer | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Head Coaches | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Softball | 4 | - | 4 |
| Head Coaches | 1 | - | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | 3 | - | 3 |
| Swimming and Diving | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Head Coaches | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Tennis | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Head Coaches | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Assistant Coaches | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Wrestling | 3 | 3 | - |
| Head Coaches | 1 | 1 | - |
| Assistant Coaches | 2 | 2 | - |
- Retention Rates
- Full-Time Entering Students Retained: 90%
| (%) of Entering Class | |
|---|---|
| Overall | |
| All Students | 82% |
| By Gender | |
| Male | 81% |
| Female | 83% |
| By Race | |
| Non-Resident Alien | 77% |
| American Indian | 67% |
| Black | 73% |
| Asian | 87% |
| Hispanic | 80% |
| White | 83% |
| Unknown | 81% |
| By Years Prior to Graduation | |
| 4 Years or Less | 77% |
| 5 Years | 81% |
| 6 Years | 82% |
| 2007-08 | 2006-07 | |
|---|---|---|
| Arrests | ||
| Residence Hall | ||
| Drug Related | 15 | 6 |
| Liquor Related | 17 | 17 |
| On Campus | ||
| Weapons Related | 1 | - |
| Drug Related | 21 | 10 |
| Liquor Related | 18 | 21 |
| Criminal Offenses | ||
| Residence Hall | ||
| Forcible Rape | 5 | 5 |
| Robbery | 1 | - |
| Aggravated Assault | 4 | - |
| Burglary | 35 | 39 |
| Arson | 1 | - |
| On Campus | ||
| Forcible Rape | 6 | 7 |
| Robbery | 2 | 1 |
| Aggravated Assault | 5 | 2 |
| Burglary | 59 | 62 |
| Vehicle Theft | 1 | 2 |
| Arson | 1 | - |
Be the First to Review Boston University