Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts · Private Nonprofit · 11.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 90/100 · Exceptional Value
Boston University
Exceptional ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $68,102/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $68,102/yr |
| Average net price | $24,402/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $97,608 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $83,238 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $52,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $246 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 88.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 18,248 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,500 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,342 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,778 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,517 |
| $110,001+ | $47,504 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Boston University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $108,412 | B+ |
| Economics | $96,723 | B |
| Computer Science | $136,667 | B+ |
| Psychology | $63,838 | C |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $55,804 | C |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $66,661 | C+ |
| International Relations | $66,373 | C |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $78,431 | C |
| Biology | $61,610 | C |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $64,112 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Boston University is $68,102/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $24,402/year, or roughly $97,608 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $9,500/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $47,504/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $246 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $83,238 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.44 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 83.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 86.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 85.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 89.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 11.1% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 730-780 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 690-750 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 32-34 |
| Enrollment | 18,248 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 19.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $16,623 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston University (this school) | 90 | $24,402 | $83,238 |
| Cornell University | 96 | $28,690 | $104,043 |
| University of Southern California | 91 | $32,740 | $92,498 |
| Amherst College | 90 | $23,367 | $77,644 |
| New York University | 84 | $37,050 | $82,509 |
| American International College | 38 | $23,274 | $53,124 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Boston University is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $97,608 and median graduate earnings of $83,238 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 4.9 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 88.7% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $23,250 is very manageable against $83,238 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.