Is Boston University test optional?

Yes. You can apply without a score. A common rule is to send it if it's at or above 1470 and hold it if it's under.

What is Boston University's acceptance rate?

11% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 8,749 of 78,769 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 44%, from 54,781 in 2015 to 78,769 in 2024, and Boston University's admit rate went from 33% to 11%.

What ACT score do you need for Boston University?

10% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 33–34, with a median of 34. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1420–1510 works out to about 32–34.

Why might Boston University's SAT range look high?

Only 36% of enrolled students sent an SAT. The range counts only those who did, and students with lower scores tend to hold theirs back.

What GPA do you need for Boston University?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.86 high school GPA, and 86% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

Does applying early decision help at Boston University?

31% of early decision applicants were admitted (2,165 of 6,907), against 11% of all applicants. Early pools often include recruited athletes and other strong applicants, so the real edge is smaller than the gap.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for Boston University? (Middle 50%: 1420–1510)

First-year students at Boston University who sent an SAT scored 1420–1510, with a median of 1470 (Common Data Set 2025–26). Boston University admits 11% of applicants and is test optional.

Boston University · Boston, MA

Where your score lands at Boston University

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1420–1510, median 1470

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median Fewer than half sent a score, so the range runs high

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Boston University is for you and whether to send your score.

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Boston University by the numbers

Admit rate: 11%
Middle 50% SAT: 1420–1510
Median SAT: 1470
About on the ACT: 32–34
Sent an SAT: 36%

Test optional · checked Nov 9, 2026 · Boston University admissions · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Boston University admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 44%, from 54,781 in 2015 to 78,769 in 2024, and Boston University's admit rate went from 33% to 11%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	78,769	8,749	11%
2023	80,495	8,733	11%
2022	80,796	11,607	14%
2021	75,778	14,129	19%
2020	61,007	12,254	20%
2019	62,224	11,786	19%
2018	64,481	14,247	22%
2017	60,825	15,273	25%
2016	57,441	16,907	29%
2015	54,781	17,871	33%

In fall 2024, 3,268 of the 8,749 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Boston University

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?

Under 1370Far reachHold
1370–1460ReachHold
1470 and upReachSend

1250135014501550

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges.

Boston University SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	720	750	780
SAT Reading and Writing	700	730	750
SAT total	1420	1470	1510
ACT composite	33	34	34

Of enrolled first-year students, 36% sent an SAT and 10% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Average high school GPA: 3.86; 14% of new students reported one
Top 10% of their class: 86%; of new students who reported a rank

Boston University early decision and waitlist

Early decision

2,165 of 6,907 early decision applicants were admitted.

Early decision31%
All applicants11%

Early pools often include recruited athletes and other strong applicants, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps on its own.

Waitlist

16,135 applicants were offered a spot, 10,393 took it.

Common Data Set 2025–26.

Boston University cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $24,402; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 89%
Median earnings: $83,238; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 21,711

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Boston University

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

Sources

Boston University Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Boston University admissions
Test policy for 2026–27, checked Nov 9, 2026.
Boston University website
Boston University

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1420–1510, and the median was 1470. At 1470 or higher you're above half of them. Boston University admits 11% of applicants, so a top score keeps you in the running but doesn't decide it.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$