Boston University
United States
Founded1839
Research$574.3M
Students17,800 UG / 20,200 PG
Acceptance11.0%
Faculty11,000
Ratio10:1
Updated March 23, 2026
Overview
Founded in 1839, Boston University (BU) is a private research university known for its history of academic firsts and its commitment to inclusion. It was the first university in the United States to open all its divisions to women and has a legacy of graduating pioneering figures in medicine and academia. Today, BU is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
The university is organized into 17 schools and colleges, along with the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences, offering over 300 programs of study. A central feature of its undergraduate education is the "BU Hub," a university-wide general education program designed to equip students with essential skills in communication, quantitative reasoning, and intellectual tools. With a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 30, the institution emphasizes a personalized yet rigorous academic experience.
Location
Boston University operates across three primary campuses located within the urban landscape of Boston. The Charles River Campus serves as the main hub for undergraduate life, while the Fenway Campus and the Medical Campus provide specialized facilities for various academic disciplines.
The Medical Campus is home to the university's health-related professional schools, including the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and the School of Public Health. The university's urban setting allows for deep integration with the city's professional and cultural resources, supporting a dynamic environment for both study and research.
Boston, United States
Also in: Boston, United States
Campuses
Main Campus
MainBoston· United States
Medical Campus (BUMC)
Boston· United States
Campus Culture
Student life at Boston University is characterized by a highly diverse and international community, with over 38,000 students representing more than 140 countries. The undergraduate population exceeds 17,800, while the graduate and professional student body consists of approximately 15,000 individuals. This multicultural environment is supported by more than 500 student clubs and organizations that cater to a wide range of interests.
The university maintains a strong athletic presence with 24 NCAA Division I varsity sports. Campus facilities are extensive, featuring a 270,000-square-foot fitness center and the Walter Brown Arena. Additionally, BU has a long-standing commitment to global engagement, hosting nearly 13,000 international students and sending over 2,300 students abroad annually to more than 25 cities worldwide, including London, Paris, and Shanghai.
Notable Alumni
Boston University boasts a vast global network of over 460,000 alumni living in 185 countries. The university is highly regarded for its career outcomes, ranking #13 in the United States for employability according to Times Higher Education. Approximately 95% of graduates find employment or secure placement in graduate programs within six months of completing their degrees.
The institution has a storied history of producing trailblazing graduates. Notable alumni include Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first Black female physician, and Helen Magill, the first woman to be awarded a PhD in the United States. This legacy of academic firsts continues to influence the university's reputation for producing successful professionals across various fields.
Rankings
Boston University is consistently recognized as a top-tier national institution, recently ranked #42 by U.S. News & World Report. It is also noted for its economic value, placing #26 in the "Best Value" category. The university's prestige is further bolstered by its membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization of leading research universities.
In addition to general rankings, BU's professional schools hold significant reputations. The School of Law hosts the oldest banking LLM program in the country, and the School of Public Health is recognized as a major research powerhouse. The university's high standing in global employability rankings reflects its strong reputation among employers worldwide.
Research
As a major research hub, Boston University received $547 million in research awards in a recent fiscal year. The university supports a wide array of research initiatives through specialized centers such as the African Studies Center, the Shipley Center for teaching innovation, and the Institute on Culture, Religion & World Affairs (CURA). The School of Public Health alone maintains a research portfolio exceeding $180 million.
Undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in scholarly inquiry through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), which provides funding for faculty-mentored projects. Beyond traditional academic research, the university is focused on innovation in sustainability, guided by a Zero Waste Plan that aims to divert 90% of campus waste by the year 2030.