Boston University acceptance rate, scores and deadlines

Boston, MA · private · 18,248 undergraduates

Acceptance rate 12.8% Fall 2025 · ↑1.7 pts
SAT, middle 50% 1420–1510 Enrolled, Fall 2025
Tests, 2026–27 Test-optional From the admissions site

Source: Common Data Set 2025–26 · deadlines from Boston University's admissions site.

Chances at Boston University
1500
unweighted, 4.0 scale —
Your odds · Regular decision Reach
12–23%
  • Your SAT 1500 is inside the middle 50% of enrolled students (1420–1510).
  • Only 36% of enrolled students sent an SAT, so that middle 50% may run high.
  • Boston University admits 12.8% of applicants overall.
  • Under 15% admitted: a reach for every applicant.

Data: Common Data Set 2025–26 · Test-optional for 2026–27

An estimate, not a guarantee. Save to my list

Acceptance rate

Boston University acceptance rate by year

9,853 of 76,776 applicants admitted for Fall 2025, against 11.1% for Fall 2024.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 201520172019202120232025 12.8%
Show the numbers
Entering classAppliedAdmittedRateSource
Fall 202576,7769,85312.8%Common Data Set
Fall 202478,7698,74911.1%IPEDS
Fall 202380,4958,73310.8%IPEDS
Fall 202280,79611,60714.4%IPEDS
Fall 202175,77814,12918.6%IPEDS
Fall 202061,00712,25420.1%IPEDS
Fall 201962,22411,78618.9%IPEDS
Fall 201864,48114,24722.1%IPEDS
Fall 201760,82515,27325.1%IPEDS
Fall 201657,44116,90729.4%IPEDS
Fall 201554,78117,87132.6%IPEDS

2026–27 applications

Boston University deadlines for 2026–27

Apply with Common App or QuestBridge. Checked October 24, 2026 on Boston University's admissions site. Dates can change; confirm them there before you submit.

  1. Early decision Apply by Decisions December 14
  2. Priority deadline Apply by Decisions —
  3. Early decision II Apply by Decisions February 8
  4. Regular decision Apply by Decisions Late March
Every 2026–27 deadline, in date order

Early rounds

Early decision and early action at Boston University

Early decision 31.4% 2,165 of 6,907 · Fall 2025
Overall 12.8% All applicants · Fall 2025

Early pools include recruited athletes and other special cases, so the gap overstates the boost for a typical applicant. Early decision is binding: apply only if you would enroll.

Scores and GPA

Test scores and GPA at Boston University

Scores are for enrolled students who sent them, not for everyone admitted.

SAT, middle 50% 1420–1510
40036% sent a score1600
ACT, middle 50% 33–34
1Enrolled, Fall 202536
Average high school GPA 3.86
As reported, 100% reported a GPA
High school GPA of enrolled first-years (Fall 2025)
  • 4.036.0%
  • 3.75–3.9936.0%
  • 3.50–3.7427.0%
  • 3.25–3.491.0%
  • 3.00–3.240.0%
  • 2.50–2.990.0%

What counts

What Boston University weighs

From section C7 of Boston University's Common Data Set 2025–26.

Very important

  • Course rigor
  • GPA

Important

  • Class rank
  • Essays
  • Recommendations
  • Activities
  • Character

Considered

  • Test scores
  • First-generation status
  • Where you live
  • State residency
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Demonstrated interest

Not considered

  • Interview
  • Talent or ability
  • Alumni relation
  • Religious affiliation

Waitlist

Boston University waitlist

16,135 students were offered a place on the waitlist for Fall 2025, 10,393 accepted it, and 479 were admitted from it (4.6% of those who stayed on).

Cost

What Boston University costs

From the College Scorecard. For your own estimate, use Boston University's net price calculator.

Tuition$71,372
Per year
Average net price$36,503
After grants, aided students
Open Boston University's net price calculator

Compare

Colleges with a similar acceptance rate

Close to Boston University's 12.8%, from the same official data.

FAQ

Questions about Boston University admissions

What is Boston University's acceptance rate?

Boston University admitted 9,853 of 76,776 first-year applicants for Fall 2025, an acceptance rate of 12.8%. That is up from 11.1% for Fall 2024. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26.

Is Boston University test-optional for 2026–27?

Yes. Boston University is test-optional for 2026–27: you can apply with or without SAT or ACT scores.

When are Boston University's application deadlines for 2026–27?

Early decision: November 2, 2026; Priority deadline: December 1, 2026; Early decision II: January 5, 2027; Regular decision: January 5, 2027. Check Boston University's admissions site before you apply, as dates can change.

What SAT score do you need for Boston University?

There is no cutoff. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1420–1510 on the SAT (Fall 2025), and 36% of them sent a score. A score at or above 1510 is in the top quarter of enrolled students.

Does applying early decision help at Boston University?

For Fall 2025, Boston University admitted 31.4% of 6,907 early decision applicants, compared with 12.8% overall. Early pools include recruited athletes and other special cases, so the gap overstates the boost for a typical applicant.

Where the numbers come from

Sources

Odds are estimates from public data, shown as a range. An estimate, not a guarantee.

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