BU / Financial aid
Paying for BU
The sticker price is rarely what families pay. Here is what BU actually costs after aid, broken down by income, with the real numbers and a calculator for your situation.
Estimate your cost
An estimate from published averages, not an offer. Always run BU's official net price calculator and file the FAFSA/CSS Profile for your real number.
Average net price by family income
The full cost
BU cost & aid FAQ
How much does BU cost after financial aid?
The average family pays about $28,985 per year at BU after grants and scholarships, against a sticker price of $90,207. Use the calculator to estimate your own net price by family income.
What does BU cost by family income?
At BU, the average total net price (tuition, room, board and fees, after aid) is about $10,573 per year for families earning under $30,000 and about $52,867 for families earning over $110,000. Net price rises with income because most aid is need-based.
Does BU offer free tuition?
Yes. BU waives tuition for families earning under $75,000 a year. That covers tuition itself; room, board and fees may still apply, so the total cost can be above zero.
Does BU give financial aid to international students?
Limited aid for international students, mostly merit. International applicants should confirm aid policies directly with BU's financial aid office.
Does BU meet full financial need?
Meets 100% of demonstrated need. Meeting need means the school aims to cover the gap between its cost and what your family can pay, as determined by the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
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