Boston University
Boston, MA
Boston University admitted 9,853 of 76,776 applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (12.8%).
Every figure on this page is published by the college or a federal survey, and carries the source it came from. They describe the fall 2025 entering class, a read on the school, not a prediction about any one applicant.
What stands out at Boston University
Three things Boston University published, ranked by how much each could change what you actually do, not by how impressive it looks. Every one describes a class that has already enrolled.
Early Decision admitted 31.3%. The regular round admitted 11%.
2.8×
the regular-round rate
A ratio between two rates the school published. Not a change in anyone’s odds.
2,165 of 6,907 early applicants were admitted, against 7,688 of 69,869 in the regular round. Early Decision is binding, and you can only use it at one school, which is exactly why the gap is worth knowing before you choose where to spend it.
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
2.8×
the regular-round rate
A ratio between two rates the school published. Not a change in anyone’s odds.
The admit rate fell from 22% to 11% over 5 years.
Both ends are measured rates from the federal survey, for classes that have already enrolled: a rate that moved, not a forecast.
Source: the federal IPEDS survey, over 5 years
479 admitted from a waitlist of 16,135.
10,393 students accepted a place on that list, and 479 were admitted from it, 4.6% of the students who waited. A waitlist offer here is not a near-miss anyone can plan around.
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
Every figure, in full
The same measured fields on every one of these pages. Nothing is filled in where the school published nothing.
Acceptance rate
12.8%
9,853 admitted of 76,776 applicants
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
SAT, middle 50%
1420–1510
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
ACT, middle 50%
33–34
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
Average GPA of admitted students
3.86
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
Enrolled students who sent an SAT
36%
Counted per test: a student may send both.
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
Enrolled students who sent an ACT
10%
Counted per test: a student may send both.
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
Where do you actually stand at Boston University?
The figures above describe a class that already enrolled. GoodGoblin reads them against your own transcript, scores and activities, then builds the balanced list, the essay plan and the deadline calendar around what it finds.
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How the rate has moved
Two measured admit rates from the federal survey, the years apart it reports them. A rate that moved, not a forecast.
Over 5 years the admit rate fell from 22% to 11%.
What Boston University says it weighs
The school's own words, from the form it fills in every year. Ranked as it ranks them.
- Course rigorvery important
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
- GPAvery important
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
- Essayimportant
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
- Recommendationsimportant
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
- Class rankimportant
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
- Test scoresconsidered
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
Not considered
- Legacy
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
The early round, in counts
Two published rates side by side. Early applicants are a different group of students, so the gap is a fact about those pools, not a lever anyone can pull.
Early Decision
2.8× the rateEarly Decision admitted 31.3% (2,165 of 6,907), against 11% in the regular round.
7,688 of 69,869 in the comparison pool.
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
The waitlist, as the school reported it
Published counts, including the ones schools rarely lead with.
- Offered a waitlist place
- 16,135
- Accepted the place
- 10,393
- Admitted from the waitlist
- 479
Source: their Common Data Set, fall 2025
What students actually pay
Net price after grants and scholarships: not the sticker price.
Average net price: $24,402 a year.
- Family income under $30k
- $9,500
- $30k–$48k
- $9,342
- $48k–$75k
- $11,778
- $75k–$110k
- $22,517
- Over $110k
- $47,504
Source: the College Scorecard
Essays on this application
3 essay prompts on the application: 3 you would write.
Published deadlines
Each date is read from the college's own materials and re-checked on a schedule.
Guides for Boston University applicants
More colleges on the record
Every one of these carries the same measured figures, with the same sources.
Other colleges in Massachusetts
The pages nearest this one on acceptance rate, in the same state.
Colleges with a nearby acceptance rate
Anywhere in the country, ordered by how close the published rate is to this one. A selection rule, not a ranking.
Build the list this school belongs on.
The figures above describe a class that already enrolled. GoodGoblin reads them against your own transcript, scores and activities, then builds the balanced list, the essay plan and the deadline calendar around what it finds.
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