Trajecta score
+5.0 since '20Ranked #48 of 2,375
5-year trend
72.9 · #62
2020
75.2 · #58
2021
75.6 · #58
2022
77.1 · #47
2023
77.9 · #43
2024
Academic Profile
90/ 100
Career Outcomes
83/ 100
Student Success
85/ 100
Affordability
54/ 100
Academic Investment
97/ 100
Access & Equity
40/ 100
Academic Profile
90
Career Outcomes
83
Student Success
85
Affordability
54
Academic Investment
97
Access & Equity
40
AI Fit Analysis
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See how your profile stacks up at Boston University — predicted chances, program fit, and a personalized application strategy.
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Cost / Net Price
$86k / $24k
SAT Avg
1,480
Retention
95%
Grad Rate
89%
Admissions
Test Scores
Scores represent the midpoint of enrolled students, not a cutoff.
Finances
Tuition
In-State Tuition
$68,102
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$68,102
per year
Aid & Debt
Pell Grant Share
19%
undergraduates receiving Pell
Federal Loan Share
23%
students borrowing
Median Debt
among completers
$23,250
Admissions Factors
Self-reported by the school in its Common Data Set (section C7) — the school's own statement of which application factors matter in its admissions decisions.
3.90
average high school GPA of enrolled freshmen · 100% reporting
Source: Common Data Set 2024-2025, what Boston University reports weighing in admissions.
| Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor of secondary school record | Rigor of secondary school record: Very Important | |||
| Class rank | Class rank: Important | |||
| Academic GPA | Academic GPA: Very Important | |||
| Standardized test scores | Standardized test scores: Considered | |||
| Application essay | Application essay: Important | |||
| Recommendation(s) | Recommendation(s): Important | |||
| Interview | Interview: Not Considered | |||
| Extracurricular activities | Extracurricular activities: Important | |||
| Talent/ability | Talent/ability: Not Considered | |||
| Character/personal qualities | Character/personal qualities: Important | |||
| First generation | First generation: Considered | |||
| Alumni/ae relation | Alumni/ae relation: Not Considered | |||
| Geographical residence | Geographical residence: Considered | |||
| State residency | State residency: Considered | |||
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Religious affiliation/commitment: Not Considered | |||
| Volunteer work | Volunteer work: Considered | |||
| Work experience | Work experience: Considered | |||
| Level of applicant's interest | Level of applicant's interest: Considered |
Methodology
The Trajecta Score (0–100) blends six dimensions of public college data into one comparable number, then nudges it by how much data each school reports. Selectivity tiers are separate — they’re based purely on a school’s admission rate.
Read the full methodologyMedian earnings 10 years out, earnings vs. a high-school grad, and loan repayment.
Admission selectivity and the incoming class’s SAT / ACT scores.
Average net price after aid and the typical debt of graduates.
Graduation rate and first-year retention.
Instructional spending and faculty salaries per student.
Share of Pell-grant students and reliance on federal loans.
Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS. Figures are the most recent reported and may lag a year or two. This tool is read-only and not personalized — inside the Trajecta app, scores are tailored to your profile as a fit score.
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Neighbors in Massachusetts, plus the closest schools nationally by Trajecta Score.
Northeastern University
Boston, MA
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
Babson College
Wellesley, MA
Tufts University
Medford, MA
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
Needham, MA
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA
Barnard College
New York, NY
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
