More selective than 92% of Massachusetts colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
28% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 10% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose BU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What BU weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as BU reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- Class rank
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Character and personal qualities
- SAT/ACT scores
- First-generation college student
- Where you live
- State residency
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
- Interview
- Talent or ability
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Religious affiliation
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of BU first-year students
BU did not report GPA ranges for fall 2025 first-year students; the average was 3.86. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
31% of early decision applicants were admitted (2,165 of 6,907). Admitted students must enroll.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
BU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, BU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 690 | 750 |
| SAT math | 730 | 780 |
| ACT composite | 32 | 34 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1420 | 1530 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
BU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 11% | 690–750 | 730–780 | 32–34 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 11% | 680–740 | 720–780 | 32–34 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is BU compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
BU has the 6th-lowest acceptance rate of 62 Massachusetts colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 5% | 96% | $20,111 |
| 3 | Northeastern University | 5% | 91% | $30,915 |
| 4 | Williams College | 8% | 94% | $17,716 |
| 5 | Amherst College | 9% | 94% | $23,367 |
| 6 | Boston University | 11% | 89% | $24,402 |
| 7 | Tufts University | 11% | 94% | $39,998 |
| 8 | Wellesley College | 14% | 92% | $25,496 |
| 9 | Boston College | 16% | 91% | $41,704 |
| 10 | Babson College | 17% | 93% | $40,514 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Massachusetts colleges →
Who enrolls at BU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
BU admissions questions
What is the BU acceptance rate?
Boston University accepts 11% of applicants, about 1 in 9. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 8,733 of 80,495 applicants were admitted.
Does BU require the SAT or ACT?
Boston University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 28% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 10% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for BU?
The middle 50% of Boston University enrolled first-year students scored 1420–1530 on the SAT and 32–34 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at BU?
36% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (3,145 of 8,733).
What does BU look for in applicants?
Boston University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA. Important: class rank, essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, character and personal qualities. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, first-generation college student, where you live, state residency, volunteer work, work experience, your demonstrated interest. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does BU have early decision?
Yes. Boston University offers binding early decision; 31% of early decision applicants were admitted for fall 2025 (2,165 of 6,907).
Is BU getting harder to get into?
Boston University accepted 11% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 11% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; BU's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Boston University overview