What is Boston University Known For? 10 Things That Define BU

BU is known for 10 things: its top-ranked communication (#9) and public health (#7) programs, being an R1 research powerhouse ($579M in research awards), its legendary hockey program (5 national championships), famous alumni (MLK, Julianne Moore, Howard Stern), its urban campus stretching 1.3 miles along Comm Ave, being where Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, its study abroad programs (80+ in 20+ countries), the Beanpot hockey tournament, and its location in Boston -- the best college city in America.

BU's College of Communication is ranked #9 nationally (US News 2025) and is one of the most respected programs in the country. COM covers journalism, film/TV, advertising, PR, and emerging media.

Why COM stands out:

• Located in the 7th-largest media market in the country
• Alumni include Howard Stern, Andy Cohen, and dozens of network executives
• State-of-the-art facilities including broadcast studios, editing suites, and a student-run TV station (BUTV10)
• Students produce content for real audiences from day one
• WTBU (campus radio) and The Daily Free Press (independent student newspaper) provide hands-on experience

If you want to work in media, journalism, or communication, BU COM is one of the top 5 programs to consider in the country.

BU's School of Public Health is ranked #7 nationally (US News 2025). In a city with the highest concentration of hospitals and medical research in the country, BU SPH is a powerhouse.

Key strengths:

• Biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, health policy
• Research partnerships with Boston Medical Center, the VA, and other major institutions
• The Framingham Heart Study (one of the most important longitudinal health studies in history) has been based at BU since 1971
• Direct pipeline to careers in healthcare, biotech, and public policy

BU is classified as an R1 research university -- the highest research activity designation. The numbers back it up:

• $579.4 million in annual research awards
• Home to the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) -- one of the few BSL-4 facilities in the country
• $1 million in annual funding for the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)
• Research spanning climate science, infectious diseases, medical devices, AI, neuroscience, and more
• Active research on every continent

For undergraduates, BU's research culture means opportunities to work in labs, co-author papers, and engage in original research starting freshman year through UROP.

BU hockey is one of the most storied programs in college sports:

• 5 national championships (NCAA Division I)
• 31 Beanpot titles (the most of any school in the tournament)
• Produced dozens of NHL players and two members of the 1980 Miracle on Ice team
• Games at Agganis Arena are the biggest social event on campus
• The Dog Pound student section is one of the loudest in college hockey

Hockey is to BU what football is to SEC schools -- it's the sport that defines the campus culture. The BU-BC rivalry is one of the most intense in college sports.

BU's alumni list is stacked across every major field:

BU's College of Fine Arts alone has produced 4 Academy Award winners. The College of Communication has produced some of the biggest names in broadcasting. And MLK's connection to BU gives the university a significance that transcends rankings.

BU's campus is unlike any other major university. It stretches 1.3 miles along Commonwealth Avenue with no gates, no walls, and no central quad. The Green Line T runs directly through campus with 5 BU stops.

What this means:

• The city IS the campus -- restaurants, shops, and bars are steps from classrooms
• Fenway Park is a 5-minute walk from East Campus
• Internships at Boston hospitals, law firms, and companies during the school year
• The Charles River Esplanade runs along campus for running, biking, and relaxing
• BU Beach (the Comm Ave median) is where everyone hangs out when it's warm

You either love this or you don't. If you want a traditional enclosed campus, BU isn't it. If you want your college experience to feel like living in a real city, BU nails it.

Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876 while working as a professor of vocal physiology at Boston University. The invention happened in a BU laboratory.

This isn't just a historical footnote -- it represents BU's long tradition of innovation and practical research. BU was founded in 1839, chartered in 1869, and by the 1870s had a professor literally changing the world from a campus lab.

BU was also one of the first American universities to admit women (1872) and students of all races, making it a pioneer in educational access.

BU has one of the most extensive study abroad programs of any American university:

• 80+ programs in 20+ countries across 6 continents
• BU-operated programs (not third-party) with BU faculty and academic standards
• Internship placements abroad integrated with coursework
• CGS students study in London during their first summer -- study abroad is built into the program

BU was one of the first US universities to offer international education, and the program has grown into one of the largest and most respected globally. Popular destinations include London, Paris, Sydney, Madrid, Shanghai, and Buenos Aires.

The Beanpot is an annual four-team men's ice hockey tournament held at TD Garden since 1952. The teams: BU, Boston College, Northeastern, and Harvard.

BU has won 31 Beanpot titles -- more than any other school. The tournament is held on the first two Mondays of February and is one of the most iconic traditions in college sports.

The Beanpot isn't just a hockey tournament -- it's a Boston institution. TD Garden sells out, campus energy spikes for weeks, and winning the Beanpot matters to BU students in a way that's hard to explain to outsiders.

BU's location in Boston is inseparable from the university's identity. Boston is arguably the best college city in America:

• 250,000+ college students in the metro area
• Nation's highest concentration of hospitals and medical research institutions
• Strong industries in healthcare, biotech, finance, tech, and media
• Walking distance to the MFA, Fenway Park, Newbury Street, the Charles River
• Public transportation (MBTA) connects every campus and neighborhood
• World-class restaurants, culture, and nightlife

BU students don't just attend a university -- they live in one of the most dynamic cities in the country. The internship opportunities, cultural experiences, and professional connections available in Boston are a core part of the BU value proposition.

Beyond COM and SPH, BU has strong rankings across the board:

BU ranks #42 nationally (US News) and #88 globally (QS World Rankings 2026, up 20 places from #108). The global ranking is notably higher than peer schools like BC (#342 QS) and Northeastern (#375 QS), reflecting BU's research output and international presence.