
8.11
Edline Index
5.5
37,737
18,805 undergraduate
1839
Private
A spirit of purposeful engagement with the world defines the intellectual life at Boston University, where a founding commitment to accessibility and service empowers students to pursue knowledge across seventeen schools and colleges within a single, research-intensive urban institution. Rooted in its founding principles that higher education should be open to all and that scholarship should serve the wider community, BU's approach fuses a rigorous liberal arts foundation—delivered through the innovative BU Hub general education program—with deep professional and disciplinary expertise, encouraging students to apply their learning to the complexities of a diverse, interconnected society. This dynamic scholarly environment stretches along Commonwealth Avenue in the heart of Boston, where the campus itself functions as a gateway to one of the world's great centers of culture, medicine, technology, and civic life. Within this globally diverse community of scholars from over 130 countries, leadership is forged through a tradition of cross-college collaboration, hands-on research, and a dedication to addressing the most pressing challenges facing local and international communities.
Cross-disciplinary inquiry is the hallmark of the BU experience, where the campus operates as a laboratory for research, professional practice, and global impact. Undergraduate education is deeply connected to a premier research ecosystem, providing students with early opportunities to collaborate with faculty on projects spanning everything from biomedical engineering to creative writing. A ten-to-one student-to-faculty ratio ensures meaningful mentorship and sustained intellectual exchange throughout the academic journey. For international applicants, BU offers a truly global environment, with limited merit-based scholarship aid available to international undergraduates on a competitive basis and a dedicated International Students and Scholars Office supporting students from around the world. Boston University sponsors one of the largest study abroad programs in the country, offering over 180 programs across six continents. Through this blend of founding mission, urban energy, and academic breadth, BU graduates emerge ready not only to excel in their careers but to lead with the conviction that knowledge must always be directed toward the common good.
| Ranking Organization | Position | Year |
|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | #88 | 2026 |
| Time Higher Education | #76 | 2026 |
| US News National Report | #42 | 2026 |