Janice Lozano
Boston University is a private research institution with two primary campuses in Boston, Massachusetts. The university has a large student body, with an estimated total of 37,000 students, including 18,656 undergraduates and 16,142 graduate students. Boston University offers a dynamic and engaging graduate school experience, with a mix of in-person and online learning opportunities. The university attracts students from diverse backgrounds, with a significant number of international students and a large Jewish community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students | 37,000 |
| Number of graduate students | 16,142 |
| Number of international students | 11.6% (4,336) |
| Number of Jewish students | 6,000 |
| Number of male students | 41.9% (15,506) |
| Number of female students | 58.1% (21,494) |
| Number of part-time graduate students | 33% (5,327) |
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What You'll Learn
Boston University has over 16,000 graduate students
Boston University is a leading private research institution with two primary campuses in Boston, Massachusetts, and over 37,000 students in total. Of these, over 16,000 are graduate students, enrolled in one of 145 graduate programs. The university has a dynamic and engaging graduate student experience, with a hybrid class format that combines in-person and online learning for flexibility and accessibility.
Boston University's large graduate student body is diverse, with 33% being part-time students and a range of international students. In Fall 2015, international students made up 11.6% of the total student population, with the highest percentage coming from China (43%), followed by India (9%), and then Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Canada at 5% each. The university also has the largest number of Jewish students out of all private schools in the US, with about 6,000 students identifying as Jewish.
The gender distribution at Boston University is slightly higher for female students, with 41.9% male and 58.1% female students as of Fall 2023. Housing-wise, 69% of students live in college-owned or affiliated housing, while 31% live off-campus. The university offers a range of extracurricular activities, including athletics and club sports, with 34 club sports recognised by the university.
Boston University's graduate programs are well-regarded, with 71% of students feeling that their degree is worth the time and money. The university is ranked #41 in national universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2025, reflecting its reputation as one of the most dynamic universities in the world. Notable alumni include Archbishop Makarios, the first President of Cyprus, and Moeed Yusuf, the current National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
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33% of graduate students are part-time
Boston University is a leading private research institution with two primary campuses in Boston and programs worldwide. The university is home to more than 37,000 students, with a significant proportion of graduate students enrolled in part-time studies.
Among the diverse student body, 33% of graduate students choose to pursue their academic goals on a part-time basis. This flexible mode of study allows them to balance their education with other commitments, such as work or personal responsibilities. Part-time graduate students at Boston University represent a dedicated cohort who value knowledge and personal growth while navigating their unique life paths.
The university's support for part-time graduate students reflects its commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in higher education. Part-time students are expected to register for a minimum of one course (at least 2 units) or maintain Continuing Student Status each semester until they fulfil their degree requirements. This policy ensures that part-time students make steady progress toward their academic goals without bearing a full-time course load.
Boston University's recognition of part-time graduate studies as a viable option empowers students to pursue advanced degrees while managing their diverse obligations. This flexibility enables individuals to enhance their knowledge and skills without putting their lives on hold, accommodating those who require a more gradual path to achieving their graduate education aspirations.
The university's dynamic and inclusive culture attracts students from various backgrounds, with 33% of graduate students embracing the benefits of part-time learning. This statistic underscores the university's appeal to a diverse student body, including those who opt for a more gradual approach to obtaining their graduate degrees.
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37% of international students pursue graduate degrees
Boston University is a leading private research institution with two primary campuses in Boston and programs worldwide. It is ranked #41 in national universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2025. Boston University has a diverse student population, with about 37,000 students from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Among Boston University's student population, 11.6% are international students. A breakdown of international student enrollment for Fall 2015 shows that 43% were from China, 9% from India, 5% from South Korea, 5% from Saudi Arabia, 4% from Canada, 4% from Taiwan, 2% from Turkey, and 1% each from Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, France, Thailand, Spain, and Japan. The remaining 18% of international students come from 123 other countries.
Of these international students, 37% are pursuing graduate degrees. This contributes to the large number of international graduate students in the United States, which stood at 467,027 in the 2022/23 school year. International graduate students bring numerous benefits to U.S. universities. They help develop an international presence, foster cultural diversity on campuses, and contribute financially and through their human capital.
International graduate students are more likely to pursue degrees in science, engineering, and math & computer science programs. This trend has been increasing over the past 20 years, with a significant number of international students receiving advanced degrees in these fields from U.S. institutions. However, the United States has seen a decline in overall international student enrollment in recent years due to various factors, including international competition and smaller allowances.
The retention rate of international graduate students in the United States varies depending on the degree level. Half of master's degree recipients stay in the country, while three-quarters of PhD recipients remain. However, the Northeast, including Boston, has the lowest international student retention rate in the country. The scarcity of visas for skilled workers contributes to the high number of international graduates who leave the United States after completing their graduate programs.
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71% of graduate students feel their degree is worth the time and money
Boston University is a leading private research institution with two primary campuses in Boston and programs worldwide. The university is home to more than 37,000 students, including graduate students pursuing degrees in various fields. While the exact number of graduate students at Boston University is unclear, a breakdown of international student enrollment data from Fall 2015 indicates that 37% of international students were pursuing graduate degrees. This corresponds to approximately 1,551 international graduate students, assuming the percentage composition of international students has remained relatively consistent.
Amid rising tuition costs and mounting student debt, 71% of graduate students believe that their degree is worth the time and financial investment. This perception of value is influenced by several factors, including increased earning potential, improved job security, and enhanced employability. Graduate degree holders consistently out-earn their counterparts with only a high school diploma or less. During the COVID-19 recession, for instance, the unemployment rate for individuals without a college education was 18%, compared to 10% for those with a bachelor's degree.
Furthermore, graduate degree holders have a better chance of securing well-paying jobs and experiencing higher wage premiums. In 2023, workers with graduate degrees earned 89% more than high school graduates, highlighting the significant return on investment in higher education. This advantage extends across various sectors of the labor market, where a bachelor's degree remains a valuable asset. However, it is worth noting that there are disparities in wage premiums based on gender and racial/ethnic groups, with male workers and white workers earning more than their female and Black or Latino counterparts, respectively.
While the majority of students at for-profit colleges never graduate, public four-year colleges have a strong track record of helping students recoup their educational costs. Completing a degree in a timely manner is crucial to maximizing the return on investment, as delays can result in additional schooling costs and delayed entry into the workforce. Additionally, graduates from four-year colleges are more likely to report that their education equipped them with the skills and knowledge needed to secure well-paying jobs. This perception of enhanced employability contributes to the belief that a graduate degree is a worthwhile investment.
The perception of a graduate degree's worth is also influenced by the field of study and the institution attended. For example, the top-earning graduates in health professions can expect an annual salary of $130,000 (75th percentile), while the lowest-earning graduates in the same field earn $65,000 (25th percentile). Additionally, the prestige and ranking of the university may impact the perceived value of the degree. Boston University's ranking as #41 in national universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2025 could be a factor in prospective students' assessment of the worth of a graduate degree from the institution.
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Boston University has over 37,000 students in total
Boston University is a leading private research institution with two primary campuses in Boston, Massachusetts, and programs around the world. The university has a large student body, with over 37,000 students in total, including those enrolled in its graduate and undergraduate programs. Of these, 18,656 are undergraduate students, and 16,142 are graduate students. The university also has a significant international presence, with students from 140 countries making up 11.6% of the total student population.
Boston University offers a wide range of academic opportunities for its students, with 17 schools and colleges, including the Faculty of Computing and Data Sciences, and more than 300 programs of study. The university's dynamic and engaging graduate programs are particularly notable, with 145 graduate programs offered, 20 of which are available online or through graduate distance education. This hybrid class format combines the benefits of in-person and online learning, providing flexibility and accessibility for graduate students.
The large and diverse student body at Boston University creates a vibrant and enriching community. The gender distribution among undergraduate students is 41.9% male and 58.1% female, with a significant portion of the student population identifying as Jewish. The university also has a strong athletic presence, with students competing in a variety of sports at the club level and several notable alumni who have achieved success in sports and other fields.
Boston University's graduate programs attract students from a variety of cultural backgrounds, with 33% of graduate students enrolled part-time. The university's graduate programs are highly regarded, with 71% of students feeling that their degree is worth the time and money invested. The dynamic and engaging graduate student experience, combined with the flexibility of the hybrid class format, contributes to a positive and rewarding learning environment for those pursuing graduate studies at Boston University.
Frequently asked questions
There are 16,142 graduate students enrolled at Boston University.
Assuming an undergraduate enrollment of 18,656, graduate students make up about 46.5% of Boston University's student population.
11.6% of Boston University students are international. Of these, 37% are graduate students, meaning there are approximately 2,436 international graduate students at the university.
Boston University offers 145 graduate programs, 20 of which are online or distance education programs.
33% of Boston University's graduate students are part-time.
