Boston University
- Private
- Research university
Boston University: international tuition 73,024 USD per year, one-year total cost 98,419 USD, acceptance rate 11.1%. Merit scholarships are open to international students. Need-based aid is not. Published minimum English scores: IELTS 7.
Vietnamese first-year applicants may be considered for BU merit scholarships; the Presidential Scholarship requires no separate scholarship application if admission materials are submitted by December 1. BU does not offer need-based aid to international students, while its need-blind policy and CSS Profile requirement remain unclear.
Getting in. The school admits 12.8% of applicants (9,853 of 76,776). Admitted students scored around Reading and Writing 700–750, Math 720–780, ACT 33–34. The SAT and ACT are optional: a score counts if you send one, and you can still apply without it. For English, the school asks for IELTS 7+. A Vietnamese high-school diploma gets you straight into first year.
Cost for a year. One year comes to 98,419 USD, before any scholarship. 1 scholarship is confirmed for international students, but nothing is taken off yet because the amount of each one is not clear. According to the Common Data Set 2025-2026, 231 international students got financial aid, 56,639 USD each on average.
Deadline and visa. The application deadline is 5/1. You apply through Common Application. How long the visa takes is up to the consulate; see the country note.
Admissions checked 13/10/2026Cost checked 10/10/2026
What is the tuition at Boston University?
International tuition is 73,024 USD per year. The total cost for one year is 98,419 USD.
Does Boston University offer scholarships for international students?
Merit scholarships are open to international students. Need-based aid is not. Vietnamese first-year applicants may be considered for BU merit scholarships; the Presidential Scholarship requires no separate scholarship application if admission materials are submitted by December 1. BU does not offer need-based aid to international students, while its need-blind policy and CSS Profile requirement remain unclear.
What English scores does Boston University require?
Published minimum English scores: IELTS 7.
What is the acceptance rate at Boston University?
The acceptance rate is 11.1%.
- Pay in fullYes
- Aid with the offerUnclear
- Apply separately for scholarshipsUnclear
For Vietnamese students
Vietnamese community nearby
Students on campus lifei
- Amelie Santini2026Vlog
- _rubyyyyyyyy__2026Vlog
- Amelie Santini2026Vlog
Contact
Tuition and cost for a year
What a year costs
iAbout VND conversion
Scholarships and aid for international students
- Is merit considered automatically with the application?iUnclear
- Is admission need-blind for international applicants?iUnclear
- Is the CSS Profile or a school aid form required?iUnclear
Scholarships at this school
Merit-Based ScholarshipsMeritApplication method unclearSchool page
International applicants receive competitive consideration based on outstanding academic records if they meet the admission deadline.
Deadline: December 1
Presidential ScholarshipIntl?Intl eligibility unclearMeritConsidered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page
- Renewable in later years
Deadline: December 1
Financial aid dates (first year)
- 01/11Aid application deadline
- 15/12Aid notification
- 01/05Reply by
Forms international students file for aid
- Certification of Finances
U.S. student figures2025–26Financial aid for all first-year studentsMostly U.S. students, who also get U.S. government aid that international students cannot apply for. A picture of the school's overall aid, not what you would receive.
Admission requirements
SAT / ACT of enrolled students
English
Application requirements
- High-school transcriptRequired
- Counselor recommendationRequired
- Teacher recommendationRequired
- English proficiencyRequired
- Proof of fundsRequired
- EssaysRequired
- InterviewOptional
- SATACTOptional
How to apply
Minimum English scores vs other schools
DeadlinesFall 2026
This cycle's dates have passed; the school has not posted next cycle's dates yet.
What the school weighs in admission
- Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
- GPAVery important
- Class rankImportant
- Application essayImportant
- RecommendationsImportant
- Extracurricular activitiesImportant
- Character / personal qualitiesImportant
- SATACTConsidered
- First generationConsidered
- Geographical residenceConsidered
- State residencyConsidered
- Volunteer workConsidered
- Work experienceConsidered
- Level of applicant's interestConsidered
- InterviewNot considered
- Talent / abilityNot considered
- Alumni relationNot considered
- Religious affiliationNot considered
Admission odds in numbers
Early rounds & waitlist
Credit for exams
Most BU programs grant credit for AP scores of 4 or 5; final credit may depend on the BU school or college.
Scores that count12345IB exam results can qualify for advanced credit; the page gives no minimum score.
A-Level results can qualify for advanced credit; the page gives no minimum score.
AP credit by subject
Lowest score that earns credit or placement, as the college reported to College Board. This is not an admission requirement. One exam can have several rows: a higher score sometimes earns more credit. Policy page the college gave College Board
43 courses. Scroll inside the table to see all.
Programs
* U.S. median for this field — the school publishes no figure of its own.
Outcomes
Staying in United States after graduation
OPT: 12 months of work in your field after each degree level; degrees on the DHS STEM list can extend by 24 months (up to 36 months in total). Unemployment during OPT is capped at 90 days (150 days with the STEM extension). Note: on 8 October 2026 DHS published a PROPOSED rule charging USD 70,000 for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for later OPT; it is not in force, and comments close on 9 November 2026.
Climate
School & campus
Where the school is
Detailed map
Academics & housing
Classes by size
Housing
Why this school is listed: one of the 50 U.S. schools with the most international undergraduates (College Scorecard). Source
Updated 10/10/2026How Duckling sources data