Boston University
Boston,
MA
•4-Year Private•
BU Student Life
A place where everyone is welcome
Did you know that Boston University was the first university to open all divisions to female students? Or that BU's Howard Thurman was the first black dean at a predominantly white university? Or that Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr. earned a Ph.D. in systematic theology here in 1955?
With students from all 50 US states, more than 130 countries, and a myriad of ethnic, cultural, and
socioeconomic backgrounds, diversity is part of BU’s DNA. Here are some resources and safe spaces for students to explore at BU:
Student Centers
◦ The Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground allows students from of all backgrounds to
come together for intercultural dialogue that expands their intellectual, social, and spiritual growth.
◦ The Center for Gender, Sexuality, and Activism is a resource center that gives a voice to
institutionally marginalized groups through activism and education.
◦ The new LGBTQIA+ Student Resource Center will also provide a hub for LGBTQIA+
students as they navigate their identity, community and professional lives.
◦ The Newbury Center supports first generation college students as they navigate BU.
Clubs and Organizations
◦ Boston University is home to 40+ cultural groups on campus. This includes the India Club,
African Student Organization, Asian Student Union, Sisters United and many more.
◦ The Catholic Center, Hillel, Islamic Society, and Hindu Students Council are all religious
organizations on campus to allow students to celebrate their culture.
Housing and Services
◦ The Disability & Access Services ensure that students are
able to participate in opportunities on campus with accessible entrances, automatic doors,
audible traffic signals and additional accommodations upon request.
◦ Sophomores have the option to opt into gender-neutral housing on campus. First year
students can contact BU Housing at housing@bu.edu to discuss eligibility.
Seems like a good fit? Explore our our diverse and inclusive campus community.
Boston University Student Activities
Interested in Greek life?
Boston University has several thriving cultural organizations. In fact, more students participate in the cultural organizations than any other on-campus activity.
Other popular student organizations at Boston University include performing and Acapella groups, residence hall associations, service organizations and student government.
Boston University students' favorite campus events are Head of the Charles Regatta, Beanpot Tournament and SPLASH.
Does Boston University Offer Student Housing?
This table offers information on housing at Boston University.
| Housing Options | Offered? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| On-Campus Housing | Yes | – |
| Guaranteed Housing | Yes | Guaranteed for freshman |
| Co-ed Housing Available | Yes | – |
| Housing for Students with Disabilities | Yes | – |
| Percentage of Students Living On-Campus | – | 65% |
| Spots Available in On-Campus Housing | – | 11,649 |
| Number of Students Living On-Campus | – | 11,139 |
| Percentage of Students Living Off-Campus | – | – |
Boston University offers housing for students. Students are required to live on campus. First year students are guaranteed on-campus housing.
The majority of Boston University students live on campus. In 2023, 65% of undergrads at Boston University lived in some kind of on-campus housing and 35% of students lived off-campus or commuted to Boston University. There are 11,649 spots available in on-campus housing for all 18,463 undergraduates. In the 2022-2023 school year, 11,139 students chose to live on-campus. On the weekends, about 80% students stay on-campus. First year students are allowed to park a car on campus.
Boston University offers coed housing and housing for students with disabilities.
Boston University Athletics
At Boston University there are a variety of athletic options for students interested in joining a sports program.
Intercollegiate sports are the highest tier of college sports and can be very competitive. Intercollegiate teams are regulated by the NCAA, funded by the university, and compete against teams from other universities. The division of a sports team depends on the size of the university, funding, and competition level. An intercollegiate school team will be Division I, II or III, with Division I being the highest level.
Club sports are not regulated by the NCAA and are a great option for students not interested in trying out for an intercollegiate team. Club sports are usually student run but can also be funded by the university.
Intramural sports are the most casual and informal. Intramural sports are often free and require very little time commitment.
Let's take a look at the athletic options available at Boston University:
| Sport | Men's Intramural | Women's Intramural | Men's Division | Women's Division | Men's Scholarships | Women's Scholarships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basketball | √ | √ | NCAA Division 1 | NCAA Division 1 | √ | √ |
| Crew | Club Teams | √ | NCAA Division 1 | NCAA Division 1 | √ | √ |
| Ice Hockey | √ | √ | NCAA Division 1 | NCAA Division 1 | √ | √ |
| Lacrosse | √ | √ | NCAA Division 1 | NCAA Division 1 | √ | √ |
| Soccer | √ | √ | NCAA Division 1 | NCAA Division 1 | √ | √ |
| Swimming And Diving | √ | √ | NCAA Division 1 | NCAA Division 1 | √ | √ |
| Tennis | √ | √ | NCAA Division 1 | NCAA Division 1 | – | √ |
| Track And Field | √ | √ | NCAA Division 1 | NCAA Division 1 | √ | √ |
| Cross Country Running | √ | √ | NCAA Division 1 | NCAA Division 1 | √ | √ |
Is Boston University Safe?
College is like a home away from home. Whether you're walking to class or coming back from late-night studying (or partying!), it's important to feel safe on campus.
Boston University is patroled 24 hours a day by trained security. The BU campus has emergency telephones or alarms for students to use anytime of day or night.
BU offers late-night transportation or safety escorts for students. Dorms can only be accessed with secure key cards so that students can feel confident that they are safe in on-campus housing.
Additionally, BU has security personnel at residence hall entrances, self-defense education, well-lit sidewalks, Emergency Alert System, Blue Light System),.
Plan a Visit to Boston University
Visiting colleges is one of the best ways to get a sense of the campus and student body. If you'd like to visit Boston University, take Massachusetts Turnpike to Boston, MA. If you need to fly, book your flight to Logan International airport.
While you're planning, check out other schools in Massachusetts you may want to visit too. Click the heart at the top of each school's page to save it to your college list.
Want to visit but can't make the trip? Explore Boston University's campus without leaving home by taking a virtual campus tour
Keep Reading About Boston University
Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.
Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about BU.
BU Students
58%
Women42%
Men96%
Full Time4%
Part Time27%
In State73%
Out-of-StateEthnicity
33%
23%
20%
11%
5%
5%
4%
0.08%
0.03%
Undergraduate Students
18,463
Graduate Students
18,251
Non-Resident / International Students
3,980
BU Campus Services
Student Services
- Counseling
- Health Clinic
- Women's Center
- Veterans Affairs
- Career Planning
- Alumni Networking
- ESL
Campus Security
- Late-Night Transport / Escort
- 24-Hour Emergency Phone / Alarm
- 24-Hour Security Patrol
Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved
Quick Facts
Total Enrollment
36,714
Campus Setting
Urban
Acceptance Rate
14%
Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline
Jan 4
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