Boston University's Undergraduate Population: Size And Significance

Boston University, a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, has a large student body. The university had a total of 36,714 enrolled students in 2022, with 29,251 studying full-time and 7,463 part-time. Boston University's undergraduate enrollment stood at 18,656 in the fall of 2023, with a gender distribution of 41.9% male and 58.1% female students. The university's undergraduate population is diverse, with a significant proportion of international students and students from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Boston University's undergraduate enrollment in Fall 2023 was 18,656

Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With nearly 38,000 students, it is one of Boston's largest employers. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs through its 17 schools and colleges, spanning diverse fields such as arts and sciences, engineering, communication, business, and more.

The university's undergraduate enrollment has seen a steady increase over the years, with 17,744 undergraduates in the fiscal year 2023. The Fall 2023 enrollment figure of 18,656 reflects a continuation of this growing trend.

The gender distribution among undergraduate students at Boston University in Fall 2023 was 41.9% male and 58.1% female. Additionally, the university accommodates its students with a range of housing options, with 69% of undergraduate students living in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing, and 31% choosing to live off-campus.

Boston University's undergraduate enrollment reflects its commitment to providing a diverse and vibrant educational environment. The university welcomes students from various backgrounds, with a notable percentage being the first in their families to pursue higher education. The university also has a strong research focus, evident in its classification as an "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity" institution.

The total graduate enrollment at Boston University for Fall 2023 was 17,968, bringing the overall student population to 36,624 for that semester. This large and diverse student body contributes to a dynamic campus life and enhances the academic experience that Boston University offers.

The gender distribution is 41.9% male and 58.1% female

Boston University (BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,656 students as of Fall 2023. The gender distribution is 41.9% male and 58.1% female, with 69% of students living in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, and 31% living off-campus.

The female majority at BU is a reflection of the university's history of promoting gender equality. Since its founding in 1839, BU has been committed to providing equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender. This commitment was formalized in the charter of 1869, which stipulated that every department of the university would be open to all, without discrimination based on sex, race, or religion.

The female majority at BU is also in line with national trends, where women have been outpacing men in college enrollment and completion rates. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage of female undergraduates in degree-granting postsecondary institutions has been steadily increasing, reaching 56% in 2018. This trend is particularly pronounced in graduate programs, where women earned the majority of master's and doctoral degrees across all disciplines in 2018.

The gender distribution at BU varies across different schools and colleges within the university. For example, in the College of Engineering, 20.6% of full-time graduate students are female, while in the College of Fine Arts, 57.1% of full-time graduate students are female.

The female majority at BU contributes to a diverse and vibrant campus community, with students from different backgrounds and a wide variety of life experiences. The university's commitment to gender equality and diversity is further demonstrated by the fact that BU was the first university in the nation to open all of its divisions to women, with a founding mission built upon inclusion.

69% of BU's undergraduate students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing

Boston University (BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,656 students as of Fall 2023. Of these, 69% live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, while the remaining 31% live off campus.

BU's housing system is the second-largest of any private university in the United States. The university guarantees the option of on-campus housing for all undergraduate students for four years, a challenge considering its large student population and urban setting. The housing options range from individual 19th-century brownstone townhouses to large-scale high-rises.

Living on campus puts students in the middle of the action, with easy access to classes, friends, professors, extracurricular activities, and award-winning dining choices. The residences are safe and secure, and students can choose from a broad and eclectic mix of options to find a place that feels like home.

The Residence Life team at BU delivers a range of programs and services to students, including specialty communities, Residence Hall Associations, the Faculty-in-Residence program, crisis intervention, conflict mediation, and enforcement of residential rules and regulations.

BU's undergraduate tuition for 2022 was $61,050

Boston University (BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,656 as of Fall 2023. The university is nonsectarian, though it retains its historical affiliation with the United Methodist Church.

BU's undergraduate tuition fees for the 2022-23 school year were $62,360, which is substantially higher than the national average at private universities of $39,400 per year. The combined cost of BU tuition and fees ($62,360) and room and board ($17,400) for the 2022-23 school year was $79,760.

BU meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all admitted, first-year students who are US citizens or permanent residents. The university offers a range of financial aid packages, including scholarships, grants, low-interest student loans, and work-study programs, to help students cover the cost of attendance.

BU offers over 300 fields of study, with popular majors including Business Administration, Computer Science, Economics, Psychology, International Relations, Film & Television, Health Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Neuroscience, and Advertising.

The acceptance rate at BU is fairly low, with only 19% of applicants being accepted. The university has rigorous academic standards and is recognised globally as a top university.

BU's undergraduate enrollment yield for 2022 was 31.3%

Boston University (BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is one of Boston's largest employers, with over 4,000 faculty members and nearly 38,000 students.

The increase in BU's enrollment yield can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, BU's reputation and attractiveness as a world-class university have improved over the years, making it a more desirable option for students. Additionally, BU's early decision program, where students are contracted to enroll if admitted, has contributed to the higher yield. The university's focus on transfers and guaranteed transfer programs have also played a role in increasing the yield.

The high yield rate led to challenges with over-enrollment and a lack of dorm capacity in 2022. To manage this, BU reduced the number of admits for the following year, slashing its undergrad admits by around 3,000. This was a strategic decision to ensure the university had sufficient resources, including dorm space and professors, to accommodate all enrolled students.

While BU's yield rate jumped by 4.2% from 2022 to 2023, the university also experienced a decrease in the number of applicants due to the expected decline in college applicants from 2025 onwards as a result of the recession in 2007/2008, which caused a drop in the birth rate.

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