# Boston University

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/boston-university

## Overview

- **Location:** Boston, MA
- **Type:** Private nonprofit
- **Setting:** Urban
- **Region:** New England
- **Enrollment:** 18,248
- **Predominant Degree:** Bachelor's

With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Boston University is a great fit for motivated students who are ready to engage with a vibrant urban campus. It's an appealing choice for those interested in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Communications, Biology & Biomedical, or Computer Science & IT. The school’s diverse offerings attract students who are eager to explore various disciplines and prepare for dynamic careers.

After graduation, students from Boston University can expect to earn an impressive average of $83,238 within a decade. This means graduates are stepping into solid financial footing relatively quickly, which is encouraging for those considering their return on investment. With a graduation rate of 89%, it shows that students not only enroll but also successfully complete their degrees, paving the way for upward mobility in their careers.

When it comes to the practical side of financing your education, the net price after aid stands at approximately $24,402, which is manageable for many families. The median debt for graduates is $23,250, a figure that many could navigate effectively post-graduation. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are ready to take advantage of Boston’s resources and connections, ultimately setting themselves up for successful futures.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | 11% |
| SAT Average | 1480 |
| ACT Midpoint | 33 |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $68,102 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $68,102 |
| Average Net Price | $24,402 |
| Median Debt | $23,250 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 19% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 23% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $9,500 |
| $30K-$48K | $9,342 |
| $48K-$75K | $11,778 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | $47,504 |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 89% |
| Retention Rate | 95% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $65,655 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $73,661 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $83,238 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.28x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 201.75% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 5043.5% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 400.0% |
| Parent Median Income | $126,800 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 1.89 |
| Friending Bias | -0.00 |
| Volunteering Rate | 9.7% |
| Support Ratio | 0.99 |

## Research & Teaching (Times Higher Education)

| Metric | Score |
|--------|-------|
| World Rank | #59 |
| Teaching | 53.6 |
| Research | 51.9 |
| Citations | 91.4 |

## Innovation (Opportunity Insights Patent Data)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Inventor Rate | 0.947% |
| Total Patents | 246 |
| Total Citations | 423 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Business & Marketing | 17% |
| Social Sciences | 14% |
| Communications | 13% |
| Biology & Biomedical | 12% |
| Computer Science & IT | 8% |
| Engineering | 7% |
| Psychology | 7% |
| Health Professions | 5% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 117 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #1 in [Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-communications-massachusetts)
- #3 in [Best MBA Programs in Massachusetts](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-massachusetts)
- #5 in [Best Colleges for Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-communications)
- #5 in [Best Bachelor's in Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-communications)
- #5 in [Best Business Colleges in Massachusetts](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-massachusetts)
- #6 in [Best Master's in Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-communications)
- #8 in [Best Colleges in Massachusetts](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-massachusetts)
- #8 in [Best Bachelor's Programs in Massachusetts](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-massachusetts)
- #8 in [Best Master's Programs in Massachusetts](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-massachusetts)
- #8 in [Best Biology Colleges in Massachusetts](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-massachusetts)
- #9 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-communications)
- #9 in [Best Computer Science Colleges in Massachusetts](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-computer-science-massachusetts)
- #9 in [Best Engineering Colleges in Massachusetts](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-engineering-massachusetts)
- #9 in [Best Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-massachusetts)
- #9 in [Best Data Science Colleges in Massachusetts](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-massachusetts)
- #11 in [Best ROI Colleges for Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-communications)
- #12 in [Best MBA Programs for Entrepreneurship](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-entrepreneurship)
- #14 in [Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-massachusetts)
- #15 in [Best Colleges in New England](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-new-england)
- #15 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-communications)
- #15 in [Best Private University MBA Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-private-mba)
- #16 in [Universities With the Highest Research Impact](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-citation-impact)
- #19 in [Colleges With the Highest Inventor Rate](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-inventor-rate)
- #23 in [Best MBA Programs for Finance](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-finance)
- #23 in [Best Research Universities in America](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-research-universities)
- #24 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Health Professions](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-nursing)
- #24 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Public Health](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-public-health)
- #24 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Healthcare Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-healthcare-administration)
- #24 in [Best Globally-Ranked American Universities](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-global-universities)
- #26 in [Best MBA Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-programs)
- #27 in [Best ROI MBA Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-roi)
- #28 in [Best ROI Colleges for Health Professions](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-nursing)
- #28 in [Best ROI Colleges for Public Health](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-public-health)
- #28 in [Best ROI Colleges for Healthcare Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-healthcare-administration)
- #28 in [Best MBA Programs for Marketing](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-marketing)
- #28 in [Best MBA Programs for Supply Chain Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-supply-chain)
- #29 in [Hardest Colleges to Get Into](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/hardest-colleges)
- #29 in [Best MBA Programs for Social Mobility](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-social-mobility)
- #29 in [Highest-Paying MBA Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-mba)
- #30 in [Most Diverse Colleges](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-diversity)
- #31 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-arts)
- #31 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-graphic-design)
- #31 in [Best MBA Programs for Healthcare Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-healthcare)
- #32 in [Best ROI Colleges for Business](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-business)
- #32 in [Best ROI Colleges for Accounting](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-accounting)
- #32 in [Best ROI Colleges for Finance](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-finance)
- #32 in [Best ROI Colleges for Marketing](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-marketing)
- #32 in [Best ROI Colleges for Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-management)
- #32 in [Best ROI Colleges for Human Resources](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-human-resources)
- #32 in [Best ROI Colleges for Supply Chain Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-supply-chain)
- #33 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Health Professions](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-nursing)
- #33 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Public Health](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-public-health)
- #33 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Healthcare Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-healthcare-administration)
- #34 in [Best Universities in America](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-universities)
- #34 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Business](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-business)
- #34 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-arts)
- #34 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Accounting](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-accounting)
- #34 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Finance](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-finance)
- #34 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Marketing](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-marketing)
- #34 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-management)
- #34 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Human Resources](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-human-resources)
- #34 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Supply Chain Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-supply-chain)
- #34 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-graphic-design)
- #34 in [Most Innovative Colleges in America](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-innovative-colleges)
- #35 in [Best Teaching Universities in America](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-teaching-universities)
- #38 in [Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-massachusetts)
- #38 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Business](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-business)
- #38 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Accounting](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-accounting)
- #38 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Finance](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-finance)
- #38 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Marketing](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-marketing)
- #38 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-management)
- #38 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Human Resources](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-human-resources)
- #38 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Supply Chain Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-supply-chain)
- #39 in [Best Colleges for Building Social Capital](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-social-capital)
- #40 in [Best ROI Colleges for Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-arts)
- #40 in [Best ROI Colleges for Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-graphic-design)
- #42 in [Ivy Plus Schools Ranked by Social Mobility](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/ivy-plus-mobility-ranking)
- #43 in [Best Colleges for Business](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-business)
- #43 in [Best Colleges for Accounting](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-accounting)
- #43 in [Best Colleges for Finance](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-finance)
- #43 in [Best Colleges for Marketing](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-marketing)
- #43 in [Best Colleges for Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-management)
- #43 in [Best Colleges for Human Resources](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-human-resources)
- #43 in [Best Colleges for Supply Chain Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-supply-chain)
- #43 in [Best Bachelor's in Business](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-business)
- #43 in [Best Bachelor's in Accounting](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-accounting)
- #43 in [Best Bachelor's in Finance](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-finance)
- #43 in [Best Bachelor's in Marketing](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-marketing)
- #43 in [Best Bachelor's in Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-management)
- #43 in [Best Bachelor's in Human Resources](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-human-resources)
- #43 in [Best Bachelor's in Supply Chain Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-supply-chain)
- #43 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-psychology)
- #44 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Social Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-social-sciences)
- #44 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Social Work](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-social-work)
- #44 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Public Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-public-administration)
- #45 in [Colleges Where Graduates Earn Over $75K](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/graduates-earning-over-75k)
- #45 in [Best Master's in Business](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-business)
- #45 in [Best Master's in Accounting](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-accounting)
- #45 in [Best Master's in Finance](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-finance)
- #45 in [Best Master's in Marketing](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-marketing)
- #45 in [Best Master's in Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-management)
- #45 in [Best Master's in Human Resources](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-human-resources)
- #45 in [Best Master's in Supply Chain Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-supply-chain)
- #46 in [Colleges That Spend the Most on Instruction](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-instructional-spending)
- #47 in [Best Private Universities](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-private-universities)
- #47 in [Best Private University Bachelor's Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-private-bachelors)
- #47 in [Best Private University Master's Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-private-masters)
- #47 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-engineering)
- #47 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Biology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-biology)
- #47 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Mechanical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-mechanical-engineering)
- #47 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Electrical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-electrical-engineering)
- #47 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Civil Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-civil-engineering)
- #48 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Psychology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-psychology)
- #49 in [Best ROI Colleges for Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-engineering)
- #49 in [Best ROI Colleges for Mechanical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-mechanical-engineering)
- #49 in [Best ROI Colleges for Electrical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-electrical-engineering)
- #49 in [Best ROI Colleges for Civil Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-civil-engineering)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Opportunity Insights Patent & Innovation Data
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Boston University — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/boston-university