BU's tuition & fees has increased from $46,664 (2014) to $65,168 (2024), and the rate of tuition increase is 39.65% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $46,322 (year 2014) to $64,712 (year 2024).
BU's tuition increase rate is higher than the Massachusetts's average increase rate of 14.70%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 28.12%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 35.70% from 2014 ($63,644).
For the current academic year 2023-2024, BU's COA is $86,363, which is increased by 4.35% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to BU's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have increased 39.65% for the last 10 years , and the 2024 tuition & fees are $65,168. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Boston University over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $1,000, and it has not changed since 2014.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2014-15 | $1,000 | - |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $1,000 | |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $1,000 | |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $1,000 | |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $1,000 | |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $1,000 | |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $1,000 | |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $1,000 | |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $1,000 | |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $1,000 | |
|---|
Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 25.32% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 25.32% when living-off campus from the year 2014 to 2024. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Boston University.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2014-15 | $15,980 | $15,980 | - |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $16,470 | $15,980 | 3.07% |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $16,820 | $16,820 | 2.13% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $17,220 | $17,220 | 2.38% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $17,670 | $17,670 | 2.61% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $18,110 | $17,670 | 2.49% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $18,590 | $18,590 | 2.65% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $18,790 | $18,790 | 1.08% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $19,400 | $19,400 | 3.25% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $20,195 | $20,195 | 4.10% |
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Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2024 tuition and increase rate from last year between Boston University and similar schools.
| 2024 | 2023 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| Boston University | $65,168 | $62,360 | 4.50% |
|---|
|
| Lehigh University | $62,180 | $59,930 | 3.75% |
|---|
|
| American University | $56,543 | $53,889 | 4.92% |
|---|
|
| Colgate University | $67,024 | $64,290 | 4.25% |
|---|
|
| College of the Holy Cross | $60,850 | $58,360 | 4.27% |
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|
| Bucknell University | $64,772 | $61,746 | 4.90% |
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