First-year deadlines, 2026–27
| Plan | Deadline | Decision by |
|---|---|---|
| Early decision Apply early, hear early, and you must enroll if admitted. Binding. | November 2, 2026 | December 15, 2026 |
| Early decision II A second, later early decision round. Also binding. | January 5, 2027 | February 9, 2027 |
Plans are listed in calendar order. What the plans mean
Source: bu.edu · checked September 19, 2026
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price after grants, all students, by family income
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026
AP credit
Most-taken exams, lowest score that earns credit| Exam | Min score | Boston University course | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus AB | 5 | 4 CAS MA 123…4 CAS MA 123 QR II | 4 credits |
| Macroeconomics | 5 | 4 CAS EC 102…4 CAS EC 102 SO I | 4 credits |
| Microeconomics | 5 | 4 CAS EC 101…4 CAS EC 101 SO I | 4 credits |
| European History | 5 | 4 elective credit granted; no N/A | 4 credits |
| African American all 4, | 5 | 4 elective credit granted; no specific…4 elective credit granted; no specific N/A | 4 credits |
| Art History all 4, | 5 | 4 CAS AH 1TR…4 CAS AH 1TR N/A | 4 credits |
| Chemistry all 4, | 5 | 4 CAS CH 131…4 CAS CH 131 SI I | 4 credits |
| Chinese Language and all | 4 | 4 CAS LC 212…4 CAS LC 212 GCI | 4 credits |
Show all 22 exams and every score level
| Exam | Min score | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus AB | 5 | 4 CAS MA 123…4 CAS MA 123 QR II | 4 credits |
| Macroeconomics | 5 | 4 CAS EC 102…4 CAS EC 102 SO I | 4 credits |
| Microeconomics | 5 | 4 CAS EC 101…4 CAS EC 101 SO I | 4 credits |
| European History | 5 | 4 elective credit granted; no N/A | 4 credits |
| African American all 4, | 5 | 4 elective credit granted; no specific…4 elective credit granted; no specific N/A | 4 credits |
| Art History all 4, | 5 | 4 CAS AH 1TR…4 CAS AH 1TR N/A | 4 credits |
| Chemistry all 4, | 5 | 4 CAS CH 131…4 CAS CH 131 SI I | 4 credits |
| Chinese Language and all | 4 | 4 CAS LC 212…4 CAS LC 212 GCI | 4 credits |
| Computer Science A all 4, | 5 | 4 CAS CS 111…4 CAS CS 111 QR II | 4 credits |
| Computer Science all 4, | 5 | 4 CAS CS 101 or CDS DS 100…4 CAS CS 101 or CDS DS 100 QR I | 4 credits |
| Culture | 5 | CAS LG 3TR GCI | |
| Culture | 5 | CAS LI 3TR GCI | |
| Culture | 5 | CAS LS 307 GCI | |
| Culture | 5 | CAS LS 3TR GCI | |
| English Language and all 4, | 5 | 4 elective credit granted; no…4 elective credit granted; no specific N/A | 4 credits |
| English Literature and all 4, | 5 | 4 CAS EN 100…4 CAS EN 100 N/A | 4 credits |
| Environmental all 4, | 5 | 4 CAS EE 100…4 CAS EE 100 SO 1 | 4 credits |
| Government and Politics: all 4, | 5 | 4 CAS PO 151 SO I | 4 credits |
| Government and Politics: all 4, | 5 | 4 CAS PO111 SO I | 4 credits |
| Human Geography all 4, | 5 | 4 CAS EE 100 SO I | 4 credits |
| Japanese Language and all | 4 | 4 CAS LJ 212 GCI | 4 credits |
| Music Theory all 4, | 5 | 4 CAS MT 105 AEX | 4 credits |
| Physics | 1 | all 4, 5 4 CAS PY 105…all 4, 5 4 CAS PY 105 SI I | 4 credits |
| Physics | 2 | all 4, 5 4 CAS PY 106…all 4, 5 4 CAS PY 106 SI II | 4 credits |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 5 | 4 CAS PY 212 or CAS PY 252 SI II | 4 credits |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 5 | 4 CAS PY 211 or CAS PY 251 SI I | 4 credits |
| Psychology all 4, | 5 | 4 CAS PS 101 SO I | 4 credits |
Source: bu.edu · checked September 19, 2026
Biggest majors
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 713 |
| Computer Science | 328 |
| Psychology | 313 |
| Economics | 237 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences | 169 |
| Radio and Television | 169 |
| Advertising | 165 |
| International Relations and Affairs | 142 |
Show the other 89 majors
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | 138 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 130 |
| Public Relations/Image Management | 126 |
| Neuroscience | 122 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering | 121 |
| Political Science and Government | 114 |
| Physiology | 109 |
| Journalism | 88 |
| Mathematics | 84 |
| Computer Engineering | 70 |
| Molecular Biology | 69 |
| Philosophy | 56 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 53 |
| Mathematical Economics | 51 |
| Communication | 50 |
| English Language and Literature | 43 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 43 |
| Sociology | 42 |
| History | 36 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 36 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 33 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 32 |
| Environmental Science | 31 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 28 |
| Education | 27 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 27 |
| Computational Mathematics | 26 |
| Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 25 |
| Graphic Design | 24 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation | 22 |
| Chemistry | 22 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 21 |
| Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies | 20 |
| Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts | 20 |
| Physics | 20 |
| Acting | 19 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 18 |
| Music Performance | 18 |
| Linguistics | 18 |
| Conservation Biology | 17 |
| Architectural History and Criticism | 17 |
| Astronomy | 15 |
| Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology | 13 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management, Other | 12 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist | 12 |
| Music | 11 |
| Painting | 8 |
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching | 8 |
| Cultural Anthropology | 7 |
| Elementary Education and Teaching | 7 |
| Special Education and Teaching | 7 |
| Film/Cinema/Media Studies | 6 |
| Directing and Theatrical Production | 6 |
| Archeology | 6 |
| Ancient Studies/Civilization | 6 |
| Physical and Biological Anthropology | 5 |
| Biochemistry | 5 |
| Engineering Physics/Applied Physics | 5 |
| Music Teacher Education | 4 |
| Art/Art Studies | 4 |
| English/Language Arts Teacher Education | 3 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, Other | 3 |
| Chinese Language and Literature | 3 |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 3 |
| Economics and Computer Science | 3 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 3 |
| Chemistry, Other | 3 |
| Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | 3 |
| Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 3 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician | 3 |
| Physical Sciences | 2 |
| Geoarcheaology | 2 |
| Spanish Language and Literature | 2 |
| Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education | 2 |
| American/United States Studies/Civilization | 2 |
| Asian Studies/Civilization | 1 |
| European Studies/Civilization | 1 |
| Bilingual and Multilingual Education | 1 |
| Art Teacher Education | 1 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 1 |
| Social Studies Teacher Education | 1 |
| Comparative Literature | 1 |
| Japanese Language and Literature | 1 |
| French Language and Literature | 1 |
| Youth Services/Administration | 1 |
| Anthropology | 1 |
| Sculpture | 1 |
| Printmaking | 1 |
Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026
Ranked programs
Where Boston University ranks in the top 25 on our top-programs lists, best rank first. How we rank programs
- #2 for Pre-physical therapyof 50 colleges
- #3 for Financeof 50 colleges
- #3 for Hospitality managementof 50 colleges
- #4 for Pre-physician assistantof 50 colleges
- #4 for Speech-language pathologyof 50 colleges
- #5 for Business administration and managementof 50 colleges
- #6 for Pre-pharmacyof 50 colleges
- #9 for Computer engineeringof 50 colleges
Show the other 8 ranked programs
- #13 for Ecology and environmental biologyof 50 colleges
- #16 for Businessof 50 colleges
- #19 for Neuroscienceof 50 colleges
- #20 for Information technologyof 50 colleges
- #21 for Biomedical engineeringof 50 colleges
- #21 for Software engineeringof 50 colleges
- #22 for Kinesiology and exercise scienceof 50 colleges
- #25 for Biologyof 50 colleges
Scholarships
Amounts and eligibility change; check the college’s page for current details.
Sports and campus life
Men’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Patriot League
Basketball, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Swimming and Diving (combined), Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Women’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Patriot League
Basketball, Field Hockey, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving (combined), Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
ROTC
Air Force, Army, Navy
Faith groups
Cru, Hillel, InterVarsity, Newman Connection
Also
Study abroad
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), connection.newmanministry.com · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026
The place
Setting
City, large
Federal locale classification
Metro area
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
5,025,517 people
Big-city metro (1 million+)
Yes
More about the place
Nearest airport
General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS)
Nearest hub airport
General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS)
Walkability
EPA walkability index 16.2 of 20
Elevation
9 ft
Time zone
Eastern
January low
19°F
July high
85°F
Annual snowfall
49.2 in
Days at 90°F or higher
20 per year
One-bedroom fair market rent
$3,390 per month
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026
Colleges nearby
- Emmanuel College1 mi
- Simmons University1 mi
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology1 mi
- Berklee College of Music1 mi
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design1 mi
- Boston Architectural College1 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses
Similar colleges
Private nonprofit, city campus, NCAA Division I, similar size
- University of Southern California21,023 students
- Cornell University16,051 students
- Northeastern University15,891 students
- Syracuse University15,739 students
- St. John's University-New York15,699 students
- Baylor University15,155 students