Boston University

What Boston University Is

Boston University (BU) is a private research university located along Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1839, it is one of the largest private universities in the United States, with approximately 36,000 students across 17 schools and colleges.

BU is ranked 83rd globally by QS in 2025 and is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), the group of 71 leading North American research universities. The university’s campus runs along a 2.6 km stretch of Commonwealth Avenue in central Boston, with the Charles River on one side and the city’s Back Bay neighbourhood nearby.

BU’s location is one of its defining features. It sits in Boston’s “university corridor” alongside MIT, Harvard, Northeastern, and several other institutions, giving students access to one of the densest academic and professional ecosystems in the world. The city’s strong presence in biotech, healthcare, finance, and technology creates direct employment pathways for graduates.

For Indian students, BU is primarily relevant for its graduate STEM programmes (Computer Science, Data Science, Biomedical Engineering), the Questrom School of Business MBA and MS programmes, and its economics department. Many of these programmes are STEM-designated, making graduates eligible for the 3-year OPT (Optional Practical Training) work authorisation in the US.

Who It’s For

Graduate applicants from India are the primary Indian cohort at BU. Admission to graduate programmes typically requires a bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution with a strong GPA (typically 3.0+/4.0 or equivalent), GRE scores (for many engineering and science programmes), and TOEFL 90+ or IELTS 7.0. The Questrom MBA requires GMAT or GRE.

Undergraduate applicants face significant competition — BU’s overall acceptance rate is approximately 14% for recent cycles. SAT/ACT scores are considered (BU reinstated standardised test requirements). International applicants also need TOEFL 90-100+ or IELTS 7.0. The total cost of attendance for undergraduates (tuition + living) exceeds USD 85,000/yr, making it one of the more expensive options.

Students seeking STEM OPT eligibility should note that many of BU’s engineering, CS, data science, and quantitative business programmes carry STEM designations. This means graduates can work in the US for up to 36 months (12 months standard OPT + 24 months STEM extension) without employer-sponsored visa, a critical consideration for Indian students.

BU is a strong fit for students who want a major US city experience, proximity to the East Coast finance and tech sectors, and a large research university with professional school options, at a tier just below the Ivy League in selectivity.

Programs Popular with Indian Students

• MS Computer Science — 1.5-2 years. STEM-designated. Covers systems, AI/ML, software engineering, and theory. Strong placement into Boston and East Coast tech companies. See also: BSc Computer Science.

• MSc Data Science — 1.5-2 years. STEM-designated. Interdisciplinary programme across CS, mathematics, and statistics. High demand among Indian applicants.

• MS Biomedical Engineering — 1.5-2 years. STEM-designated. BU’s biomedical engineering department benefits from Boston’s status as a global biotech hub.

• MS Electrical Engineering — 1.5-2 years. STEM-designated. Research strengths in signal processing, photonics, and nanotechnology.

• MBA (Questrom School of Business) — 2 years, full-time. AACSB-accredited. STEM-designated MBA (unusual and valuable for OPT purposes). GMAT or GRE required. Average GMAT for recent classes: approximately 680.

• MS Mathematical Finance — 17 months. STEM-designated. Jointly offered by Questrom and the Department of Mathematics. Strong placement into quantitative finance roles.

• BA Economics / MA Economics — The economics department has strengths in econometrics and applied microeconomics. The one-year MA is a common stepping stone to PhD programmes or quantitative roles. See also: MA Economics.

Campus and Location

BU’s campus is linear, stretching along Commonwealth Avenue from Kenmore Square to Babcock Street, connected by the MBTA Green Line (B Branch). This means the campus is integrated into the city rather than isolated from it.

Boston itself is a mid-sized city (population ~700,000, metro area ~4.9 million) with one of the highest concentrations of universities and hospitals in the world. The presence of Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, Tufts, and dozens of other institutions creates a dense talent pool that employers actively recruit from.

Cost of living: Boston is expensive. Student housing near BU runs USD 1,200-2,000/month for shared accommodation. On-campus housing is available but not guaranteed for graduate students. Food, transport (MBTA monthly pass ~USD 90), and other costs add approximately USD 1,500-2,000/month beyond rent.

Indian community: Boston has a well-established Indian community, particularly in the western suburbs (Waltham, Lexington, Burlington). Indian grocery stores, restaurants, and temples are accessible. BU has an Indian Students Association.

STEM OPT and employment: Boston’s economy is anchored by healthcare/biotech (Mass General Brigham, Moderna, Biogen), finance (Fidelity, State Street, Wellington), tech (Amazon, Google, HubSpot all have significant Boston offices), and consulting. The STEM OPT pathway is critical for Indian graduates seeking to stay and work.

Costs and Financial Aid

International tuition at BU for 2024-25 is approximately USD 62,360/yr for most graduate programmes. The Questrom MBA total programme cost is approximately USD 130,000 over two years.

Scholarships for Indian students: BU offers merit-based scholarships and partial tuition awards for graduate students at the programme level — these vary significantly by department. The Questrom MBA offers merit scholarships to admitted students. Teaching and research assistantships in engineering and science departments can cover partial tuition and provide a stipend.

Total cost estimate for a 2-year MS programme: Tuition (USD 62,000/yr x 2) + living costs (USD 30,000/yr x 2) = approximately USD 184,000 total, or roughly ₹1.54 crore at current exchange rates. This is a significant investment — weigh carefully against STEM OPT earning potential.

Things to Verify Before Applying

• STEM designation: Confirm that your specific programme has a STEM CIP code, which qualifies you for 36-month OPT. Most engineering and CS programmes at BU do, but verify on the programme page or with the international students office.
• GRE/GMAT requirements: Some programmes have waived GRE for recent cycles; others have reinstated it. Check the current requirements for your target programme.
• Standardised testing for undergraduates: BU has reinstated SAT/ACT requirements after a period of test-optional admissions. Verify the current policy.
• Health insurance: Massachusetts requires all students to have health insurance. BU’s Student Health Insurance Plan costs approximately USD 3,500-4,000/yr. This is mandatory unless you can demonstrate comparable coverage.
• I-20 and visa timeline: Apply early to allow time for I-20 processing and F-1 visa scheduling. Consulate wait times from India can be several weeks during peak season (May-July).
• CPT/OPT rules: Understand the distinction between Curricular Practical Training (internships during study) and Optional Practical Training (post-graduation work). CPT usage affects OPT eligibility in specific ways.

Where to Go Next on This Site

• MSc Data Science — comparing data science postgraduate options
• MBA — postgraduate business degree comparisons
• BSc Computer Science — undergraduate CS pathways
• BA Economics — undergraduate economics programmes
• LLM — postgraduate law options
• Carnegie Mellon University — another top US private university for CS and engineering
• New York University — another major private US university

Sources Used

• Boston University, Admissions
• Boston University, Academic Programs
• Boston University, Graduate Programs — College of Arts and Sciences
• QS World University Rankings 2025, Boston University