Boston University

Boston, MA · founded 1839 · 36,700 students · private research university · Patriot League (primary), Hockey East (ice hockey)

Known for: Boston University is a large, private research university known for its strong programs in communications, business, and international relations, and for its urban campus along the Charles River.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #43
QS World: #108
Times Higher Education: #78
ARWU Shanghai: #95
Forbes: #68

Top programmes

Communications & Journalism
Business
International Relations
Engineering
Health Professions
Law

Notable alumni

Martin Luther King Jr. — Civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Julianne Moore — Academy Award-winning actress
Geena Davis — Academy Award-winning actress and advocate for gender equality in media
Howard Stern — Radio and television personality
Tipper Gore — Former Second Lady of the United States and mental health advocate
Michele Tafoya — Sportscaster
Bill O'Reilly — Former television host and political commentator
Martha Coakley — Former Attorney General of Massachusetts

Traditions

Mugging (studying in the Mugar Memorial Library)
The Beanpot hockey tournament
BU Beach (the grassy area by Marsh Chapel)
Senior Week events
Ice Hockey rivalry with Boston College

If Boston University were…

As a food: Legal Sea Foods clam chowder — Boston institution, reliable and well-executed but not particularly exciting or innovative. BU delivers solid academics and professional prep in an urban setting, but lacks the soul or quirkiness of its Cambridge neighbo
As an athlete: James Harden — Highly skilled, puts up impressive numbers, but never quite wins the championship or captures hearts. BU students are accomplished and driven, perpetually in the shadow of Harvard and MIT, grinding hard without the glory
As a person alive today: Howard Stern — BU alum, brash, unapologetically urban, built a career on hustle rather than pedigree. The university attracts scrappy, ambitious kids who know they're not at Harvard but are determined to out-work everyone anyway.
As a historical figure: Alexander Hamilton — Ambitious striver, no old-money background, relentlessly professional, a little insecure about status. BU students are the Hamiltons of Boston—working twice as hard to prove they belong in rooms with Ivy Leaguers.
As a movie or TV show: The Social Network — Set in Boston/Cambridge, obsessed with status and résumés, everyone's coding or networking or both. BU is the Eduardo Saverin of universities—essential to the story but never quite the protagonist.
As a US president: Richard Nixon — Competent, hardworking, deeply insecure about not being from the right background, perpetually comparing himself to the Kennedys (Harvard). BU students have a chip on their shoulder about prestige and overcompensate with
As a city: Frankfurt — Major international hub, finance-focused, efficient but charmless, overshadowed by more romantic neighbors. BU is a global crossroads for ambitious students who prioritize career placement over campus culture or traditio
As an element: Iron — Strong, abundant, essential to infrastructure but not precious. BU is the workhorse of Boston higher ed—solid, reliable, foundational to many careers, but nobody's writing poetry about it.
As a car: 2023 BMW 330i xDrive — Urban, international, aggressively competent—this is the pre-professional's weapon of choice on Commonwealth Ave. Sleek enough for finance internships, practical enough for Boston winters, and always angling for the fast

Campus life

BU has a vibrant, fast-paced urban campus life integrated into the city of Boston. Student life is active with hundreds of clubs, a strong Greek life presence, and easy access to the cultural and professional opportunities of a major city. The campus stretches along Commonwealth Avenue, creating a distinct college corridor.