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Boston University
Boston, MA 17,850 Undergrads 88.5% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$82,694
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$26,996
After Aid
Median Earnings
$83,238
10yr Post-Entry
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$26,996
Peer Midpoint: $19,729.5
Earnings (10yr)$83,238
Peer Midpoint: $53,747
Graduation Rate88.5%
Peer Midpoint: 58.5%
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients18.4%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time99.0%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS83.6%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
10.8%
SAT Avg
1,473
SAT Reading
25th: 68070075th: 740
SAT Math
25th: 72074075th: 780
ACT Composite
25th: 323375th: 34
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$690k
+$294k
+$206k
Median Cost$27k/yr
+$593k
+$197k
+$109k
Full Cost$83k/yr
+$393k
-$4k
-$92k
ROI Efficiency Metrics
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
28
∞
Median Cost$27k/yr
37
112%
Full Cost$83k/yr
Never
-31%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 10-year median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return33%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return-55%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis
Bachelor's Degrees
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
BachCIP: 5109
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$29,685
Lifetime Value Added
-$292k
Anthropology
BachCIP: 4502
Median Debt
$25,250
Earnings (2yr)
$24,615
Lifetime Value Added
-$338k
Area Studies
BachCIP: 0501
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$31,851
Lifetime Value Added
-$272k
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
BachCIP: 2602
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (5yr)
$75,390
Lifetime Value Added
+$62k
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$25,985
Earnings (5yr)
$67,946
Lifetime Value Added
+$6k
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
BachCIP: 1405
Median Debt
$25,500
Earnings (5yr)
$98,562
Lifetime Value Added
+$236k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
BachCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$23,196
Earnings (5yr)
$102,943
Lifetime Value Added
+$268k
Chemistry
BachCIP: 4005
Median Debt
$25,990
Earnings (2yr)
$41,342
Lifetime Value Added
-$187k
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
BachCIP: 4228
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (5yr)
$54,194
Lifetime Value Added
-$102k
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
BachCIP: 5110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$52,107
Lifetime Value Added
-$93k
Communication and Media Studies
BachCIP: 0901
Median Debt
$23,250
Earnings (5yr)
$84,361
Lifetime Value Added
+$129k
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
BachCIP: 5102
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$71,937
Lifetime Value Added
+$36k
Computer Engineering
BachCIP: 1409
Median Debt
$25,984
Earnings (5yr)
$138,076
Lifetime Value Added
+$529k
Computer Science
BachCIP: 1107
Median Debt
$23,125
Earnings (5yr)
$137,182
Lifetime Value Added
+$522k
Design and Applied Arts
BachCIP: 5004
Median Debt
$21,000
Earnings (2yr)
$42,682
Lifetime Value Added
-$175k
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
BachCIP: 5005
Median Debt
$26,849
Earnings (5yr)
$35,979
Lifetime Value Added
-$254k
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
BachCIP: 2613
Median Debt
$24,677
Earnings (5yr)
$58,367
Lifetime Value Added
-$68k
Economics
BachCIP: 4506
Median Debt
$24,224
Earnings (5yr)
$88,959
Lifetime Value Added
+$164k
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
BachCIP: 1410
Median Debt
$26,646
Earnings (5yr)
$112,437
Lifetime Value Added
+$339k
English Language and Literature, General
BachCIP: 2301
Median Debt
$25,750
Earnings (5yr)
$55,841
Lifetime Value Added
-$89k
Fine and Studio Arts
BachCIP: 5007
Median Debt
$20,475
Earnings (5yr)
$56,132
Lifetime Value Added
-$86k
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
BachCIP: 5199
Median Debt
$26,773
Earnings (5yr)
$79,591
Lifetime Value Added
+$94k
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
BachCIP: 5100
Median Debt
$25,889
Earnings (5yr)
$75,810
Lifetime Value Added
+$65k
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
$25,996
Earnings (5yr)
$50,739
Lifetime Value Added
-$130k
Hospitality Administration/Management
BachCIP: 5209
Median Debt
$23,250
Earnings (5yr)
$51,214
Lifetime Value Added
-$126k
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
BachCIP: 1907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$50,149
Lifetime Value Added
-$135k
International Relations and National Security Studies
BachCIP: 4509
Median Debt
$23,394
Earnings (5yr)
$74,117
Lifetime Value Added
+$53k
Journalism
BachCIP: 0904
Median Debt
$24,500
Earnings (5yr)
$73,406
Lifetime Value Added
+$47k
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
BachCIP: 1601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$49,068
Lifetime Value Added
-$144k
Mathematics
BachCIP: 2701
Median Debt
$19,250
Earnings (5yr)
$71,541
Lifetime Value Added
+$33k
Mechanical Engineering
BachCIP: 1419
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (5yr)
$94,926
Lifetime Value Added
+$208k
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
BachCIP: 3099
Median Debt
$24,375
Earnings (5yr)
$116,242
Lifetime Value Added
+$368k
Music
BachCIP: 5009
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (5yr)
$41,316
Lifetime Value Added
-$209k
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
BachCIP: 2615
Median Debt
$24,325
Earnings (5yr)
$73,425
Lifetime Value Added
+$47k
Nutrition Sciences
BachCIP: 3019
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$68,485
Lifetime Value Added
+$10k
Philosophy
BachCIP: 3801
Median Debt
$25,375
Earnings (2yr)
$26,353
Lifetime Value Added
-$322k
Political Science and Government
BachCIP: 4510
Median Debt
$23,250
Earnings (5yr)
$69,721
Lifetime Value Added
+$20k
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$23,250
Earnings (5yr)
$60,374
Lifetime Value Added
-$52k
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
BachCIP: 0907
Median Debt
$22,167
Earnings (5yr)
$58,649
Lifetime Value Added
-$66k
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
BachCIP: 5123
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (5yr)
$74,512
Lifetime Value Added
+$56k
Research and Experimental Psychology
BachCIP: 4227
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$50,891
Lifetime Value Added
-$129k
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
BachCIP: 1609
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$54,222
Lifetime Value Added
-$102k
Social Sciences, Other
BachCIP: 4599
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$77,557
Lifetime Value Added
+$78k
Social Work
BachCIP: 4407
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$52,596
Lifetime Value Added
-$115k
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
$26,375
Earnings (5yr)
$71,736
Lifetime Value Added
+$35k
Special Education and Teaching
BachCIP: 1310
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (5yr)
$61,254
Lifetime Value Added
-$45k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
BachCIP: 1312
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (5yr)
$55,608
Lifetime Value Added
-$90k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
BachCIP: 1313
Median Debt
$25,500
Earnings (5yr)
$57,414
Lifetime Value Added
-$76k
Visual and Performing Arts, General
BachCIP: 5001
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$50,536
Lifetime Value Added
-$132k
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Music
PB-CertCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$30,771
Lifetime Value Added
-$164k
Master's Degrees
Applied Mathematics
MastCIP: 2703
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$97,071
Lifetime Value Added
+$416k
Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management
MastCIP: 5010
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$63,608
Lifetime Value Added
+$76k
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
MastCIP: 2699
Median Debt
$67,568
Earnings (5yr)
$67,428
Lifetime Value Added
+$110k
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
MastCIP: 2611
Median Debt
$48,565
Earnings (5yr)
$128,790
Lifetime Value Added
+$636k
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
MastCIP: 1405
Median Debt
$41,000
Earnings (5yr)
$105,500
Lifetime Value Added
+$437k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
MastCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$47,962
Earnings (5yr)
$147,297
Lifetime Value Added
+$792k
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
MastCIP: 5299
Median Debt
$29,500
Earnings (5yr)
$126,772
Lifetime Value Added
+$619k
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
MastCIP: 4228
Median Debt
$80,000
Earnings (5yr)
$69,841
Lifetime Value Added
+$130k
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
MastCIP: 5102
Median Debt
$52,000
Earnings (5yr)
$74,902
Lifetime Value Added
+$174k
Computer Engineering
MastCIP: 1409
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$182,771
Lifetime Value Added
+$1093k
Computer Science
MastCIP: 1107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$177,092
Lifetime Value Added
+$1045k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
MastCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$39,700
Earnings (5yr)
$67,534
Lifetime Value Added
+$111k
Culinary Arts and Related Services
MastCIP: 1205
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$42,738
Lifetime Value Added
-$119k
Curriculum and Instruction
MastCIP: 1303
Median Debt
$20,500
Earnings (5yr)
$87,889
Lifetime Value Added
+$286k
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
MastCIP: 5005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$41,193
Lifetime Value Added
-$110k
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
MastCIP: 2613
Median Debt
$59,608
Earnings (5yr)
$87,937
Lifetime Value Added
+$286k
Education, General
MastCIP: 1301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$69,374
Lifetime Value Added
+$126k
Educational Administration and Supervision
MastCIP: 1304
Median Debt
$29,762
Earnings (5yr)
$82,099
Lifetime Value Added
+$236k
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
MastCIP: 1410
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$132,173
Lifetime Value Added
+$664k
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
MastCIP: 5006
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$48,904
Lifetime Value Added
-$60k
Finance and Financial Management Services
MastCIP: 5208
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$114,832
Lifetime Value Added
+$517k
Fine and Studio Arts
MastCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$43,659
Lifetime Value Added
-$110k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
MastCIP: 5107
Median Debt
$56,842
Earnings (5yr)
$98,124
Lifetime Value Added
+$374k
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
MastCIP: 1907
Median Debt
$28,235
Earnings (5yr)
$54,358
Lifetime Value Added
-$9k
Information Science/Studies
MastCIP: 1104
Median Debt
$31,165
Earnings (5yr)
$137,506
Lifetime Value Added
+$709k
Insurance
MastCIP: 5217
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$129,588
Lifetime Value Added
+$642k
International Relations and National Security Studies
MastCIP: 4509
Median Debt
$86,165
Earnings (5yr)
$75,900
Lifetime Value Added
+$183k
Journalism
MastCIP: 0904
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$73,952
Lifetime Value Added
+$166k
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
MastCIP: 2202
Median Debt
$61,150
Earnings (5yr)
$139,643
Lifetime Value Added
+$728k
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
MastCIP: 5213
Median Debt
$36,916
Earnings (5yr)
$137,068
Lifetime Value Added
+$706k
Marketing
MastCIP: 5214
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$123,709
Lifetime Value Added
+$592k
Mechanical Engineering
MastCIP: 1419
Median Debt
$57,930
Earnings (5yr)
$124,422
Lifetime Value Added
+$599k
Music
MastCIP: 5009
Median Debt
$39,771
Earnings (5yr)
$39,106
Lifetime Value Added
-$154k
Nutrition Sciences
MastCIP: 3019
Median Debt
$61,371
Earnings (2yr)
$52,941
Lifetime Value Added
+$8k
Psychology, General
MastCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$64,500
Earnings (2yr)
$39,927
Lifetime Value Added
-$123k
Public Administration
MastCIP: 4404
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$79,389
Lifetime Value Added
+$255k
Public Health
MastCIP: 5122
Median Debt
$62,334
Earnings (5yr)
$81,182
Lifetime Value Added
+$228k
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
MastCIP: 0909
Median Debt
$39,224
Earnings (5yr)
$83,801
Lifetime Value Added
+$251k
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
MastCIP: 0907
Median Debt
$68,910
Earnings (5yr)
$64,931
Lifetime Value Added
+$88k
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
MastCIP: 5123
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$78,637
Lifetime Value Added
+$206k
Security Science and Technology
MastCIP: 4304
Median Debt
$105,433
Earnings (5yr)
$62,236
Lifetime Value Added
+$64k
Social Sciences, General
MastCIP: 4501
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$82,657
Lifetime Value Added
+$241k
Social Work
MastCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$53,395
Earnings (5yr)
$71,160
Lifetime Value Added
+$142k
Special Education and Teaching
MastCIP: 1310
Median Debt
$33,500
Earnings (5yr)
$61,256
Lifetime Value Added
+$55k
Student Counseling and Personnel Services
MastCIP: 1311
Median Debt
$53,000
Earnings (5yr)
$63,189
Lifetime Value Added
+$72k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
MastCIP: 1312
Median Debt
$25,500
Earnings (5yr)
$64,824
Lifetime Value Added
+$87k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
MastCIP: 1313
Median Debt
$28,103
Earnings (5yr)
$66,151
Lifetime Value Added
+$98k
Theological and Ministerial Studies
MastCIP: 3906
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$64,531
Lifetime Value Added
+$84k
Graduate Certificates
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences
Gr-CertCIP: 5105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$190,536
Lifetime Value Added
+$1434k
Doctoral Degrees
Music
DocCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$64,997
Lifetime Value Added
-$57k
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
DocCIP: 5123
Median Debt
$61,375
Earnings (5yr)
$83,287
Lifetime Value Added
+$77k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
DocCIP: 1313
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$91,745
Lifetime Value Added
+$139k
Theological and Ministerial Studies
DocCIP: 3906
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$69,783
Lifetime Value Added
+$10k
Professional Degrees
Dentistry
ProfCIP: 5104
Median Debt
$310,944
Earnings (5yr)
$162,482
Lifetime Value Added
+$650k
Law
ProfCIP: 2201
Median Debt
$117,740
Earnings (5yr)
$155,312
Lifetime Value Added
+$599k
Medicine
ProfCIP: 5112
Median Debt
$205,222
Earnings (5yr)
$129,585
Lifetime Value Added
+$413k
Theological and Ministerial Studies
ProfCIP: 3906
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (5yr)
$65,290
Lifetime Value Added
-$55k
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate, accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate degree decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results should not be compared with those Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors starting at age 18.