BU Acceptance Rate 2025-2026: 12.8% Overall, ~29% Early Decision

BU's acceptance rate has dropped from 54% (Class of 2012) to under 13% in just over a decade, driven by application volume doubling and BU's rapidly rising reputation.

From BU's official Class Profile and Common Data Set (2024-2025):

BU is test-optional, meaning submitting SAT/ACT scores is not required. Only 45% of enrolled students submitted test scores, which is low compared to peer institutions like Boston College (74%). If your scores are at or above the mid-50% range, submitting them likely helps your application.

BU's transformation in selectivity has been dramatic:

Why did it tick up slightly for the Class of 2029? BU was significantly overenrolled for the Classes of 2027 and 2028 -- more admitted students chose to attend than planned. This forced BU to dramatically cut admissions offers. For the Class of 2029, BU slightly expanded offers while also seeing fewer applications (~76,776 vs ~82,385 peak), resulting in the small uptick to 12.83%.

The bigger picture: BU went from admitting more than half its applicants to fewer than 1 in 8 in about 15 years. Application volume has more than doubled, driven by the Common App, test-optional policies, and BU's rising brand recognition.

If you take one thing from this page: Early Decision is the single most impactful decision in your BU application.

Class of 2029 ED Data:

Class of 2028 (More Precise):

The math: ED applicants represent only ~9% of the total pool but fill 59% of the enrolled class. The ED acceptance rate (~29%) is roughly 4-5x higher than Regular Decision.

BU offers two ED rounds -- ED I (November deadline) and ED II (January deadline). Both are binding. BU does not publicly report a significant difference between the two rounds.

Should you apply ED? If BU is genuinely your first choice and you don't need to compare financial aid packages across schools, applying ED dramatically improves your odds. But ED is binding -- if admitted, you must attend and withdraw all other applications.

BU doesn't officially publish acceptance rates by individual school, but data suggests significant variation:

More selective than BU's overall rate:

• Questrom School of Business - Estimated ~8% acceptance rate, with average SAT around 1490+
• College of Engineering - Competitive, especially for CS and Biomedical Engineering
• Kilachand Honors College - Highly selective (invitation-only from admitted students)

• College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) - BU's largest school; acceptance rate close to the overall 12.8%
• College of Communication (COM) - Competitive, strong reputation

• College of General Studies (CGS) - BU's two-year undeclared program; estimated 20-30% acceptance rate
• Wheelock College of Education - Smaller program, may be slightly less competitive

BU uses a holistic admissions process. From the Common Data Set, here's how BU rates each factor:

Very Important:

• Rigor of academic record (honors, AP/IB courses)
• Academic GPA
• Application essay
• Recommendation letters
• Extracurricular activities
• Character/personal qualities

• Standardized test scores (if submitted)
• Talent/ability
• Volunteer work
• Work experience

• First-generation status
• Alumni relation (legacy)
• Geographic diversity
• Racial/ethnic diversity

• Interview (BU does not offer evaluative admissions interviews)
• Religious affiliation

Also notable: BU does NOT offer evaluative interviews, so your written application carries 100% of the weight.

BU's transfer acceptance rate is significantly higher than its freshman rate:

Best bet for transfers: Students with strong GPAs from community colleges or four-year institutions, especially those who can articulate why BU is a specific fit. CAS and CGS tend to accept the most transfers. Questrom and Engineering are harder to transfer into.

Internal transfers: Students already at BU (e.g., in CGS or CAS) can apply to transfer to a different school within BU. This is competitive but a viable path -- for instance, starting in CGS and transferring to Questrom after year 2.

Based on BU's Common Data Set and observed patterns:

1. Apply Early Decision if BU is your top choice. The ~29% ED rate vs. ~5-7% RD rate is the biggest lever you can pull.

2. Submit test scores if they're strong. Only 45% of enrolled students submitted scores. If your SAT is 1430+ or ACT is 32+, submitting likely helps. Below those ranges, going test-optional may be strategic.

3. Demonstrate genuine BU interest. BU tracks demonstrated interest. Attend virtual info sessions, visit campus if possible, and reference specific BU programs in your essay.

4. Choose your school strategically. Acceptance rates vary by school. If you're a borderline applicant, consider whether your intended school is more or less competitive than the overall rate.

5. Show depth over breadth in activities. BU rates extracurriculars as "very important." Two meaningful commitments beat ten superficial ones.

6. The essay matters more than you think. BU reads every essay. A specific, authentic essay that shows why BU (not just "a good school") is essential.

7. Consider a gap year if waitlisted. BU regularly admits students from the waitlist -- in some years, hundreds of students are admitted off the waitlist to fill the class.

BU's acceptance rate in context of its peer institutions:

BU and BC have nearly identical acceptance rates despite BU receiving almost twice as many applications (76,776 vs 39,681). Northeastern's rate is lower at ~6.7%, partly due to its large number of applications (~96,000+).

Net price comparison: BU's average net price ($27,551) is lower than BC's ($32,590) and competitive with NYU's ($33,400+), making BU one of the better values among top-40 private universities.

'I applied ED II in January after falling in love with BU during a fall campus visit. My SAT was a 1440 -- slightly below the average -- but I think my essay about wanting to study international relations in an actual global city made the difference. ED II was the best decision I made.' - Sophomore, Pardee School

'I got rejected Regular Decision my first time, went to community college for a year with a 3.8 GPA, and transferred in. BU's transfer process is way less brutal than freshman admissions. Don't give up if you don't get in the first time.' - Junior, CAS

'I had a 3.9 GPA and a 1490 SAT and still got waitlisted RD. That's how competitive regular decision has become. I eventually got off the waitlist in late May.' - Sophomore, Questrom

'The acceptance rate scared me but I applied anyway. I had strong extracurriculars -- 3 years leading my school's debate team -- and I think that mattered more than my 3.7 GPA. BU clearly values what you do outside the classroom.' - Junior, CAS