The student-faculty ratio at Boston University is 10:1, and the school has 62 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Boston University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; and Engineering. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 93 percent.
Faculty & classes
Faculty
Student-faculty ratio
10:1
Total faculty
1,873 full time
792 part time
Minority
16% full time
10% part time
Full-time faculty with Ph.D or terminal degree
90%
Classes taught by graduate assistants
-
Full-time faculty gender distribution
Part-time faculty gender distribution
Class Size
Class sizes
Classes with fewer than 20 students62%
20-4925.8%
50 or more12.3%
Requirements
General education/core curriculum required
Yes
Coursework required for graduation
Humanities
Computer literacy
Mathematics
English (including composition)
Foreign languages
Sciences (biological or physical)
Social science
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Graduation & retention
Freshmen Retention
Average first-year student retention rate
93%
International Student Retention
International student retention rate
95%
Graduation Rates
6-year graduation rate of students who received a Pell grant
88%
6-year graduation rate of students who received a subsidized Stafford loan
87%
6-year graduation rate of students who did not receive a Pell grant or subsidized Stafford loan
89%
6-year graduation rate of international students
88%
Degrees Awarded (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018)
Post-bachelor's certificates
24
Post-master's certificates
81
Doctoral degrees - research/scholarship
535
Doctoral degrees - professional practice
565
Doctoral degrees - other
0
2017-2018 Graduates Employed Full-time
Employed as entrepreneur
0.6%
Employed in temporary/contract work
1.3%
Postgraduate internship/fellowship
2.5%
Graduates reporting salaries
20%
Graduates reporting bonuses
5%
2017-2018 Graduates Employed Part-time
Employed as entrepreneur
-
Employed in temporary/contract work
0.3%
Postgraduate internship/fellowship
0.2%
Graduates reporting salaries
1%
Graduates reporting bonuses
0%
2017-2018 Graduates Other
Enrolled in a volunteer service program
0.8%
Enlisted in the military
0.4%
Enrolled in continuing education
13.2%
Attended a graduate education program
0.4%
Attended a graduate engineering program
1.1%
Attended medical school
0.7%
Attended a graduate nursing program
0.3%
Graduate schools most often attended by recent graduates
Boston University
Brown University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Duke University
Seeking continuing education
0.7%
No information provided by graduate
28.9%
Prominent Alumni
School's most prominent alumni
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr - (Theology) Nobel Peace Prize; Civil Rights Leader, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez US Congresswoman, Edgar Helms - Founder of Goodwill Industries
Majors
General Information
Credits apply to multiple majors
-
Five Most Popular Majors
Five most popular majors for 2018 graduates
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services 21%
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs 14%
Social Sciences 14%
Biological and Biomedical Sciences 10%
Engineering 9%
Alumni Starting Salaries by Major
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Neurobiology and Neurosciences$53,800
Biology$51,400
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology$47,100
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology.$42,200
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Management Information Systems (MIS)$68,800
Finance$68,100
International Business$67,700
Accounting$65,900
Business Administration, Management and Operations$63,100
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Communication and Media Studies$53,700
Public Relations & Advertising$51,500
Journalism$46,700
Engineering
Computer Engineering (CE)$81,600
Electrical Engineering (EE)$75,400
Biomedical Engineering$69,400
Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering$68,400
Mechanical Engineering (ME)$68,000
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature$48,600
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Mathematics and Statistics
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Health and Physical Education/Fitness$47,400
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Physical Sciences
Physics$83,500
Chemistry$52,600
Social Sciences
Economics$59,900
International Relations$53,300
Anthropology$50,500
Sociology$48,400
Political Science and Government$45,800
Visual and Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts$49,600
Fine and Studio Arts$47,000
Film, Video and Photographic Arts$44,200
Drama and Theater Arts$43,000
Majors Offered at This School
Architecture and Related Services
Architectural History and Criticism, General
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
American/United States Studies/Civilization
Area Studies, Other
Asian Studies/Civilization
East Asian Studies
European Studies/Civilization
Italian Studies
Latin American Studies
Near and Middle Eastern Studies
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Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Conservation Biology
Environmental Biology
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Accounting
Business Administration and Management, General
Hospitality Administration/Management, General
Hospitality Administration/Management, Other
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Advertising
Communication and Media Studies
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
Journalism
Public Relations/Image Management
Radio and Television
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Education
Art Teacher Education
Bilingual and Multilingual Education
Chemistry Teacher Education
Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Education, General
Engineering
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
Computer Engineering, General
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Engineering, General
Manufacturing Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Ancient/Classical Greek Language and Literature
Chinese Language and Literature
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Comparative Literature
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
Health Professions and Related Programs
Athletic Training/Trainer
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician
Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
Legal Professions and Studies
Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
Mathematics and Statistics
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Ancient Studies/Civilization
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Nutrition Sciences
Systems Science and Theory
Natural Resources and Conservation
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Philosophy
Religion/Religious Studies
Physical Sciences
Astronomy
Astrophysics
Chemistry, General
Chemistry, Other
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other
Geology/Earth Science, General
Geophysics and Seismology
Physics, General
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Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Youth Services/Administration
Social Sciences
Anthropology
Archeology
Economics, General
Geography
International Relations and Affairs
Visual and Performing Arts
Acting
Art History, Criticism and Conservation
Directing and Theatrical Production
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
Film/Cinema/Video Studies
Minors
Theology and Religious Vocations
Theology and Religious Vocations, Other
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Ancient Studies/Civilization
Holocaust and Related Studies
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Nutrition Sciences
Sustainability Studies
Systems Science and Theory
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Environmental Biology
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
Physiology, General
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
African Studies
African-American/Black Studies
American/United States Studies/Civilization
Area Studies, Other
Asian Studies/Civilization
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics, General
Statistics, General
Visual and Performing Arts
Art History, Criticism and Conservation
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General
Dance, General
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
Film/Cinema/Video Studies
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Ancient/Classical Greek Language and Literature
Arabic Language and Literature
Chinese Language and Literature
Comparative Literature
Natural Resources and Conservation
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Advertising
Communication and Media Studies
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
Journalism
Photojournalism
Public Relations/Image Management
Radio and Television
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Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Accounting
Business Administration and Management, General
Finance, General
Hospitality Administration/Management, General
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
Engineering
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
Computer Engineering, General
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Engineering Science
Materials Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Systems Engineering
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Education
Education, General
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness
Mathematics Teacher Education
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
Special Education and Teaching, General
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Psychology
Applied Psychology
Psychology, General
Physical Sciences
Astronomy
Chemistry, General
Geology/Earth Science, General
Physics, General
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Islamic Studies
Jewish/Judaic Studies
Philosophy
Religion/Religious Studies
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
Social Sciences
Anthropology
Archeology
Economics, General
International Relations and Affairs
Medical Anthropology
Health Professions and Related Programs
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist
Public Health, General
Academic programs
Academic Programs
Degrees offered
Certificate, Bachelor's, Post-bachelor's certificate, Master's, Post-master's certificate, Doctorate - professional practice, Doctorate - research/scholarship
Combined-degree programs
B.A. College of Arts and Sciences / M.B.A. Questrom School of Business
B.A. College of Arts and Sciences / J.D. School of Law
B.S. Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences / D.P.T. Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
B.A. College of Arts and Sciences / M.A. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
B.A. College of Arts and Sciences / M.D. School of Medicine / M.P.H. School of Public Health
Student participation in special study options
Honors program
Weekend college
Independent study
Accelerated program
Internships
Student participation in special academic programs
Learning communities
Undergraduate research/creative projects
Writing in the disciplines
Senior capstone or culminating academic experience
Service learning
First-year experiences
Qualified undergraduate students may take graduate-level classes
Yes
Pre-professional programs
Pre-law, pre-dentistry, pre-medicine, pre-veterinary science
Cooperative education programs
Engineering
Teacher certification is offered in
Early childhood, special education, elementary, middle/junior high, secondary, bilingual/bicultural
Subject areas offering education certification
27
Counseling services offered
academic
birth control
career
minority student
military
personal
psychological
religious
veteran student
international students
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Honors college 2018 enrollment
429
Honors program 2018 enrollment
-
Online bachelor's degree program offered
Yes
Percentage of bachelor's degree programs that are available online
-
Individual online courses offered for bachelor's degree credit
Yes
Domestic Study Away
Semester/term-away programs
Washington Semester (American University), Sea Semester, American Studies Program (Washington, D.C.), Los Angeles Film Studies Center
Student exchange programs offered with
-
Percent of 2018 graduates participating in domestic student exchange programs
-
Study Abroad
Countries where study abroad opportunities are available
Argentina
Australia
Belgium
China
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
France
Germany
Ghana
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2018 graduates participating in study abroad programs
-
Consortia
Consortia
Consortium for Climate Risks in the Urban Northeast
Gulf War Illness Consortium
Consortium for Affordable Medical Technologies (CAMTech)
NELLCO Law Library Consortium
Sensor Network Consortium
Veterans
Institution is G.I. Bill certified
Yes
Institution participates in Yellow Ribbon Program
Yes
