Boston University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Boston University was $61,050 a year.

Tuition increased 4.25% in 2022–from $58,560 the previous year. Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this information makes going to college sound impossible, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students find the actual cost of college is far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket feel more doable until after graduation.

Boston University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Boston University is a private, nonprofit institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of Massachusetts as it does for students who live in other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to verify your state's rules for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Massachusetts colleges

Boston University International Student Tuition

BU has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities..

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Boston University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at BU.

Room and Board Costs at BU

Housing and campus dining at BU is $17,400 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the BU's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities. Students who live off campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can choose to be on a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $11,260.

Meal-plan costs can depend on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at BU

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer resources so that those with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at BU

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in a city might be pricey, but there may be more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Boston University campus is located in a urban setting in Massachusetts, near Boston.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Boston University

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of how much students can expect to shell out for BU.

Total Cost of BU

What will the cost of attending BU be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$61,050
Room and Board	$17,400
Other expenses	$1,370

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$82,130
Off-Campus	$64,730

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

BU’s tuition and fees change based on: •Class time for both full and part-time students •Course load for both full and part-time students •Course level for part-time students

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Boston University Financial Aid

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In 2022, 7,351 of the 18,229 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. BU meets 88% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $57,519 a year. Around 40% of BU undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. BU graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $40,944 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$22,224
State Loans	$64,949
Private Loans	$62,205

Most Common Loans for BU Students
Federal Loans	38%
State loans	1%
Private loans	12%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on BU financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Boston University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, BU awarded 7,246 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $346.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $26.93 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Boston University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for BU students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at BU was $57,519 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of BU seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$24,611
Off-Campus	$7,211

What will attending BU really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the BU's net cost calculator on their website.

Boston University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

BU offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does BU Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

BU has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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Learn More About Boston University

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