CAMPUS · BOSTON, MA · PRIVATE

Boston University

10.8%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

Sticker Price vs What You Actually Pay

18% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Boston University enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Full Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$18,110
Total Cost of Attendance	$86,285

What You'll Actually Pay (Net Price by Income)

After financial aid, the real cost depends on your family's income. These are average net prices for students receiving aid.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$9,500	$38,000
$30-48k	$9,342	$37,368
$48-75k	$11,778	$47,112
$75-110k	$22,517	$90,068
$110k+	$47,504	$190,016

Financial Aid & Student Debt at Boston University

18.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

$23,250

Median Debt at Graduation

Is Boston University Worth the Cost? (ROI Analysis)

$83,238

Median Earnings (10yr)

$23,250

Median Debt

3.6x

Earnings-to-Debt Ratio

A ratio above 2x generally means the investment pays off. Boston University — 3.6x ratio is excellent — graduates earn well relative to their debt burden.

Boston University True Cost by Family Income

18% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Boston University enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$9,500	$38,000
$30-48k	$9,342	$37,368
$48-75k	$11,778	$47,112
$75-110k	$22,517	$90,068
$110k+	$47,504	$190,016

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$18,110
Total Cost of Attendance	$86,285

Financial Aid & Student Debt

18.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

Students from low-income families

$23,250

Median Debt at Graduation

Federal loans only

$65,655

Median Earnings (6yr)

6 years after enrollment

Boston University Tuition & Cost FAQs

How much does Boston University actually cost per year?

Boston University's sticker price (cost of attendance) is $86,285/yr — that includes tuition, room and board, and fees. After financial aid, the average family pays just $20,128/yr, a 77% discount off sticker price.

Does Boston University offer good financial aid?

18% of Boston University students receive Pell Grants (federal need-based aid). Most US colleges including Boston University also award institutional grants on top of federal aid — apply via FAFSA, plus the CSS Profile if Boston University requires it.

What income bracket pays the least at Boston University?

Families earning under $30,000/yr typically pay around $9,500/yr at Boston University after financial aid, while families earning over $110,000/yr pay closer to $47,504/yr. The full breakdown by income bracket is in the True Cost table above.

Is Boston University worth the cost?

Boston University graduates earn a median of $83,238 10 years post-graduation. Against a 4-year sticker cost of about $345,140 (less for most families with aid), grads typically recoup the investment within several years of work.