Boston University

What is the cost of studying for a year at Boston University?

Boston University charges the same published undergraduate tuition to Massachusetts residents and students from other states. For 2024-25, reported full-time undergraduate tuition was $66,670, with $1,432 in required fees. Housing, food, supplies, transportation, and personal spending are additional considerations.

• 2024-25 full-time undergraduate tuition: $66,670.
• 2024-25 required undergraduate fees: $1,432.
• Reported annual room and board: $19,970.
• Reported books and supplies estimate: $1,000.

Those four reported items total $89,072, but that subtotal is not a complete individual cost-of-attendance budget: it excludes transportation and other personal expenses, and housing and meal choices can change the bill. Tuition and fees also change by academic year. Part-time students and students in graduate or professional programs should use the charges applicable to their specific program rather than this undergraduate example.

Published price and net price are different. Among students in the reported income groups, average net price after aid ranged from $9,342 for families earning up to $48,000 to $47,504 for families earning more than $110,000. These are group averages, not quotes for applicants; household circumstances, eligibility, and the composition of an aid offer determine an individual amount. BU offers need-based institutional aid, alongside federal and other aid for eligible students. Its financial aid instructions specify which applications and deadlines apply, so families should compare a personalized aid offer with the full current-year expense budget.

What are the work-study opportunities at Boston University?

Boston University students can seek part-time employment while enrolled, including jobs designated as Federal Work-Study for students who qualify. Work-Study is a form of need-based financial aid that permits eligible students to earn wages; it is not a grant paid in full at the start of a term or a guarantee of a job.

BU's student employment resources list positions and explain hiring and payroll procedures. Students without a Work-Study award may still be eligible for other student jobs, depending on the employer and position. Before relying on wages to cover a bill, students should consider the available hours, pay rate, and when earnings will be received.

For longer-term career planning, BU provides career counseling, résumé and interview assistance, job-search resources, employer events, and opportunities for alumni networking. An internship can provide experience, but BU does not require one of every student. Internship requirements and whether a placement is paid vary by program and employer.