Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Boston University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 28% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 89th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (MA wage index 1.29). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Boston University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $90,050 | $136,667 | +28% | #48 of 349 | #69 | $23,125 |
| Computer Engineering | $93,995 | $135,394 | +24% | #20 of 189 | #41 | $25,984 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | $54,456 | $110,622 | +99% | #3 of 207 | #3 | $24,375 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $71,545 | $108,412 | +59% | #17 of 1176 | #35 | $23,196 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $69,209 | $99,024 | +6% | #35 of 118 | #87 | $25,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $80,528 | $98,953 | -2% | #125 of 258 | #235 | $26,646 |
| Economics | $55,733 | $96,723 | +17% | #76 of 368 | #121 | $24,224 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $76,337 | $95,757 | +4% | #79 of 318 | #278 | $25,000 |
| Mathematics | $64,604 | $84,784 | +22% | #62 of 309 | #112 | $19,250 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences | — | $83,413 | +22% | #11 of 61 | #17 | $26,773 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $44,657 | $82,302 | +45% | #3 of 137 | #5 | $23,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $47,349 | $80,306 | +42% | #7 of 660 | #30 | $23,250 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | $42,894 | $78,431 | +28% | #15 of 156 | #32 | $25,889 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $77,660 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | $49,254 | $72,809 | +41% | #13 of 299 | #46 | $21,000 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $36,705 | $72,566 | +30% | #16 of 85 | #30 | $25,000 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $39,093 | $68,888 | +10% | #19 of 67 | #36 | $24,325 |
| Philosophy | $40,377 | $68,026 | +25% | #13 of 86 | #28 | $25,375 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $45,870 | $66,661 | +0% | #58 of 118 | #85 | $23,394 |
| Political Science and Government | $45,021 | $66,373 | +5% | #177 of 565 | #350 | $23,250 |
| Journalism | $42,857 | $65,617 | +17% | #21 of 187 | #64 | $24,500 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $42,850 | $64,112 | -2% | #63 of 110 | #90 | $25,000 |
| Psychology | $39,175 | $63,838 | +26% | #50 of 1027 | #188 | $23,250 |
| Sociology | $38,457 | $63,791 | +21% | #43 of 462 | #121 | $26,375 |
| Social Work | — | $63,594 | +23% | #16 of 420 | #113 | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $35,873 | $62,342 | +0% | #25 of 64 | #51 | $27,000 |
| Biology | $40,165 | $61,610 | +8% | #289 of 841 | #570 | $25,985 |
| History | — | $59,986 | +18% | #55 of 459 | #172 | $25,996 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | — | $59,858 | +16% | #46 of 345 | #173 | $25,500 |
| English Language and Literature | $23,579 | $58,564 | +21% | #74 of 576 | #176 | $25,750 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | — | $57,967 | +19% | #10 of 62 | #23 | $24,677 |
| Special Education and Teaching | — | $57,294 | +13% | #36 of 177 | #119 | $27,000 |
| Education | $27,891 | $56,556 | +14% | #15 of 71 | #33 | $27,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $37,225 | $55,804 | +11% | #45 of 158 | #97 | $22,167 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | — | $55,066 | -1% | #45 of 82 | #65 | — |
| Education | — | $54,883 | +12% | #7 of 27 | #12 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,281 | $54,766 | +16% | #100 of 680 | #427 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | $54,044 | +2% | #199 of 476 | #372 | — |
| Anthropology | $26,934 | $53,722 | +15% | #40 of 188 | #82 | $25,250 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | — | $51,086 | +1% | #32 of 59 | #47 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $17,374 | $49,538 | +20% | #64 of 423 | #158 | $20,475 |
| Social Sciences | $48,243 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Music | $23,934 | $39,426 | -8% | #201 of 268 | #235 | $27,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $21,508 | $39,322 | -1% | #147 of 255 | #214 | $26,849 |
| Chemistry | $39,157 | — | — | — | — | $25,990 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Boston University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $702,388
- Avg rent near campus: $3,414/mo — vs ~$1,289/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 02119 (4.0% cap, Boston)
Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.
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🏆 Where Boston University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $63,798 | $63,798 |
| Room | $11,600 | |
| Board | $6,510 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $86,363 | $86,363 |
Financial Aid
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Boston University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Boston University?
How much does it cost to attend Boston University?
What is the graduation rate at Boston University?
Is Boston University a good school?
- Outcomes (A+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (A): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (A+): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Boston University?
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🎓 Similar Colleges to Boston University
Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology