Boston University Acceptance Rate, GPA and More (2024)

Boston University acceptance rate is 20%. BU had a record-breaking freshman applicant pool of 80,797 applications in 2022. The selection of freshman applicants to Boston University is high, with many applicants scoring high on the SAT or ACT exam, as well as having a good high school GPA.

The average SAT score is 1442, 4 points higher than last year’s 1438 average. The average ACT score is 33, the same as last year’s. 

The average high school GPA for those applying for admission in 2022 is 3.81 (compared to last year’s 3.70).

The top five countries and regions outside of the United States represented by the prospective freshmen are China, India, South Korea, Canada, and Taiwan. Domestically, applicants came from all 50 US states, with most calling New York, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Texas home. 

Applications from African American/Black students increased by 21 percent, from 4,143 to 5,017, and from Hispanic/Latinx students by 12 percent, from 9,552 to 10,695. And 23 percent are first-generation college students. 

See also: BU Academic Calendar Important Dates and Deadlines

Boston University acceptance rate for international students

Boston University acceptance rate for international students is 25%.

BU defines an international student to be a non-US citizen or non-US Permanent Resident Green Card Holder. International students usually need an F-1 Student Visa or J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa to study in the US.

You will need to send original or certified copies of your home country’s credentials as part of your application.

If your first language is not English, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET). If English is your first language, but you speak another language at home, you may consider submitting English proficiency results to demonstrate fluency.

First-Year international students are eligible to apply for the Trustee Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, and Alumni & Friends Scholarships.

See also: Syracuse University Acceptance rate

Boston University acceptance rate early decision

Boston University’s acceptance rate for early decision is 33%.

Early Decision and Early Decision 2 are application options available at Boston University by which students apply and receive an admission decision early, and, if admitted, commit to attending BU by withdrawing applications to all other schools.

Test Information for early decision applicants

• The SAT and ACT are not required for students applying for Early Decision and Early Decision 2 for fall 2022 and spring 2023.
• If you choose to submit your test scores and are applying for Early Decision, you must take the ACT no later than the October test date or the SAT no later than November.
• If you choose to submit your test scores and are applying for Early Decision 2, you must take the ACT or SAT no later than the December test date.
• International Students: You must take the TOEFL, IELTS, or DET exams by November 15 for Early Decision or by the end of December for Early Decision 2.

Boston University acceptance rate history

Boston University rankings and interesting facts

1. BU is one of only three universities in Boston and Cambridge named to the prestigious Association of American Universities.
2. The average class size you’ll find at BU means you’ll get to know your professors well.
3. Student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1
4. 90% Of faculty have a Ph.D. or equivalent
5. $574.1 Million in research awards awarded to BU
6. Boston University is ranked #8 among universities hosting the most international students in the US by Open Doors.
7. BU has 70+ study abroad opportunities
8. There are 650+ Global themed courses at Boston University to choose from.
9. Forbes ranks BU #7 among top US colleges for international students.
10. Boston University Students come from 90+ Countries and all 50 States in the United States.
11. 17% Of Boston University students are first-generation.
12. The BU Alumni network spans the globe with more than 300,000 alumni living and leading in over 180 of the world’s countries.
13. BU is ranked #32 among Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects by U.S. News & World Report.
14. Within six months of graduation, 90% of students found employment or placement in graduate programs, military service, and fellowships.
15. It is Ranked #13 in the US by Times Higher Ed for most employable graduates.
16. 84 percent of students complete at least one internship at BU.
17. It is ranked #27 among the Best U.S. Colleges by The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education.
18. Ranked #42 among national universities by U.S. News & World Report.
19. $1 million in funding is offered through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
20. Ranked #20 in the US and #3 in Massachusetts for Best Universities for Excellence, Equity, and Employability.
21. Ranked #17 in Top 50 Best Colleges in Big Cities by Newsweek.

About Boston University

Boston University is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. BU has over 33,500 students from more than 130 countries.

It has over 10,000 faculty and staff, 17 schools and colleges, the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences, and more than 300 programs of study.

According to US News, the most popular majors at Boston University include Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Engineering; Health Professions and Related Programs; Psychology; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Visual and Performing Arts; and Mathematics and Statistics. 

The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 93%.

General information