Boston University Acceptance Rate: 14.8% for the Class of 2030, Early Decision and Waitlist

What is the Boston University acceptance rate?

Boston University reported a 14.8% admit rate for the Class of 2030, which entered in fall 2026, on 79,498 applications (BU Today, September 9, 2026). The same article gives 3,714 enrolled students, an average SAT of 1470, an average ACT of 33 and an average GPA of 3.80, and says 58% of the class applied Early Decision. It does not give the number admitted, and an earlier BU Today article put the class at 3,722 students (BU Today, September 1, 2026). BU has not yet published a Common Data Set for this class, and its class profile page still showed the Class of 2029 when we checked on October 26, 2026.

The most recent Common Data Set covers students who entered in fall 2025 as the Class of 2029. BU received 76,776 first-year applications, admitted 9,853 students and enrolled 3,449, an acceptance rate of 12.8% by our calculation, according to its Common Data Set 2025-2026. By our calculation, 35.0% of admitted students enrolled.

How has the BU acceptance rate changed?

Applications fell in each year from fall 2022 to fall 2025, from 80,796 to 76,776, then rose to 79,498 for fall 2026, according to BU Today. The acceptance rate rose from 10.8% for fall 2023 to 12.8% for fall 2025, and BU Today reported 14.8% for fall 2026. The fall 2026 figures come from a news article rather than a Common Data Set, so they may differ slightly from the Common Data Set BU publishes for that class. BU has not explained the change in admit numbers in the sources we reviewed.

What is the BU Early Decision acceptance rate?

BU offers two binding rounds, Early Decision I and Early Decision II, and no Early Action. In our view, the gap between the two rates is large enough that a student who is sure BU is the first choice, and whose family has settled the cost question, should apply Early Decision. The early pool is self-selected, so the gap overstates the effect of applying early for any one student. Our guide to the BU Early Decision acceptance rate and our page on Early Decision II cover the choice.

When are the BU application deadlines for fall 2027?

How do BU acceptance rates differ by residency?

International applicants were admitted at a higher rate than U.S. applicants for fall 2025, and only 28.3% of admitted international students enrolled, by our calculation. The applicant pools differ in size and makeup, so a higher raw rate does not by itself mean a group finds admission easier, and BU does not publish the reasons for these differences.

Is Boston University test optional?

Yes. BU states that it “is test optional for first-year applicants applying through fall 2028 and spring 2029” (BU Admissions). For students who enrolled in fall 2025 and submitted scores, the middle 50% SAT range was 1420 to 1510, with a median of 1470, and the ACT range was 33 to 34; 36% submitted the SAT and 10% the ACT (BU Common Data Set 2025-2026). For the Class of 2030, BU Today reported an average SAT of 1470 and an average ACT of 33. In our view, a score at or above the median is usually worth sending. Our list of colleges that require the SAT or ACT shows how BU compares.

What GPA do BU students have?

BU reports an average high school GPA of 3.86 for students who enrolled in fall 2025, with every enrolled student reporting a GPA, and its class profile gives a middle 50% GPA of 3.7 to 4.0 for the Class of 2029. BU Today reported an average GPA of 3.80 for the Class of 2030. Our guide to getting into Boston University covers the rest of the application.

How does the BU waitlist work?

BU offers a place on its waiting list to a large number of applicants, and the number admitted from it has varied widely. In our view, a waitlisted student should accept a place, send a short update if there is real news, and commit to another college by May 1. Our guide on getting off a college waitlist covers what to send.

How much does Boston University cost for families?

Under BU Promise, beginning with students entering in the 2026-2027 academic year, admitted domestic first-year, first-time students from families earning less than $200,000 a year, with typical assets, can expect financial aid to cover full tuition, “with a parent contribution capped at $20,000 per year,” and “Families with household incomes of $75,000 or less, with typical assets, can expect to pay nothing” (BU Today, August 6, 2026). Need-based packages no longer include loans.

What does the BU acceptance rate mean for applicants?

In the view of Oriel Admissions, BU is a reach for most applicants, with a 14.8% admit rate reported for fall 2026 and 12.8% in the latest Common Data Set, and the most important choice is whether to apply Early Decision. With nearly a third of Early Decision applicants admitted for fall 2025 against about one in nine of all other applicants, a student who is certain about BU should weigh Early Decision I or II seriously. Families comparing Boston options can read our Tufts, Northeastern and Boston College comparison and our guide to the Boston College acceptance rate.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Boston University Acceptance Rate

Sources: BU Common Data Set 2025-2026, section C, BU Common Data Set 2024-2025, BU Common Data Set 2023-2024, BU Common Data Set 2022-2023, BU class profile, BU Today, September 9, 2026, BU Today, September 1, 2026, BU Admissions FAQs, BU important deadlines, BU first-year applicants, BU Today, August 6, 2026. All read October 26, 2026.

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