BU Acceptance Rate

Boston University (BU), located in Boston, Massachusetts, is a highly selective private research university known for its rigorous admissions process. For the Class of 2028, BU reported an overall acceptance rate of approximately 10.7%, reflecting its growing competitiveness. This selectivity is driven by a large and increasingly diverse applicant pool, with over 80,000 applications received in the most recent cycle, as well as a trend toward more students applying through early decision programs. BU publishes transparent admission statistics through its official website and the Common Data Set, providing reliable insights into its admissions trends.

• Overall Acceptance Rate: 10.7%, with around 80,000 applicants and approximately 8,500 admitted students, marking one of the lowest rates in BU’s history.
• Early Decision Rate: Estimated at 25.0%, significantly higher than regular decision, as BU prioritizes students who commit early; exact figures for the Class of 2028 are pending release.
• International Student Rate: Approximately 8.0%, reflecting heightened competition among a growing pool of global applicants; BU admitted roughly 1,200 international students out of 15,000 applicants.

Over the past decade, Boston University’s acceptance rate has steadily declined from around 25% to under 11%, driven by a surge in applications and a strategic focus on building a diverse, high-achieving student body. Early decision applicants enjoy a notable advantage, with acceptance rates often double those of regular decision candidates. International admissions remain particularly competitive due to limited spots and high demand. Compared to peer institutions like Northeastern University (acceptance rate ~6.7%) and Tufts University (~9.5%), BU’s selectivity positions it firmly among the top-tier private universities in the Northeast. For the most accurate and updated data, prospective students are encouraged to visit BU’s official admissions page at www.bu.edu/admissions.