Rankings of Boston University

Boston University (BU) is a privately run research university based in Boston, Massachusetts. The university maintains its formal affiliation with the United Methodist Church, but emphasises that the institution abides by a nonsectarian code of conduct. BU’s main facility is known as the Charles River Campus, while their campus dedicated to medical subjects is called the Boston University Medical Campus, which is located in the South End and is a 25 minute commute away making use of public transport.

Latest ranking updates for Boston University
  • March 2024: Publication of Scimago Institutions Rankings. Ranking position #99.
  • January 2024: Publication of THE World’s Most International Universities. Ranking position #92.
  • December 2023: URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance update. Boston University achieves place 134.
  • December 2023: Publication of Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments - ShanghaiRanking (Sport Science). Ranking position #101.

University rankings

    • #42 
    • #42 
    Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
    [Published 14 September, 2021]
    • #31 
    • #78 
    THE World University Rankings
    [Published 27 September, 2023]
    • #25 
    • #93 
    QS World University Rankings
    [Published 27 June, 2023]
    • #27 
    • #80 
    QS Employability Rankings
    [Published 23 September, 2021]
    • #10 
    • #22 
    THE Global Employability University Ranking
    [Published 23 November, 2022]
    • #39 
    • #83 
    Reuters Most Innovative Universities
    [Published 23 October, 2019]
    • #43 
    • #43 
    US News Best National Universities
    [Published 17 September, 2023]
    • #42 
    • #101 
    THE World Reputation Rankings
    [Published 27 July, 2023]
    • #54 
    • #54 
    Forbes: America's Top Colleges
    [Published 30 August, 2022]
    • #80 
    • #80 
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #32 
    • #70 
    US News: Best Global Universities
    [Published 24 October, 2022]
    • #41 
    • #101 
    ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 15 August, 2023]
    • #86 
    • #86 
    Washington Monthly - National Universities
    [Published 28 August, 2022]
    • #23 
    • #92 
    THE World’s Most International Universities
    [Published 25 January, 2024]
    • #162 
    • #163 
    Kiplinger's Best College Values
    [Published 31 July, 2019]
    • #49 
    • #172 
    CWTS Leiden Ranking
    [Published 22 June, 2022]
    • #37 
    • #99 
    Scimago Institutions Rankings
    [Published 06 March, 2024]
    • #51 
    • #99 
    CWUR Center for World University Rankings
    [Published 25 April, 2022]
    • #46 
    • #117 
    Nature Index - Academic
    [Published 15 June, 2023]
    • #36 
    • #94 
    NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #35 
    • #134 
    URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
    [Published 19 December, 2023]
    • #18 
    • #26 
    RUR World University Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #17 
    • #23 
    RUR Reputation Ranking
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #18 
    • #24 
    RUR Academic Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #191 
    • #192 
    MONEY Best Colleges in America, ranked by value
    [Published 16 May, 2022]
    • #38 
    • #44 
    StuDocu World University Ranking - US & Canada
    [Published 06 September, 2021]
    • #88 
    • #87 
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #40 
    • #47 
    UniRank 4icu: Top 200 Universities in the World
    [Published 11 August, 2022]
    • #40 
    • #45 
    UniRank 4icu: Top 200 English-Speaking Universities
    [Published 11 August, 2022]
    • #32 
    • #237 
    QS World University Rankings: Sustainability
    [Published 05 December, 2023]
    • #37 
    • #52 
    Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
    [Published 31 July, 2023]
    • #9 
    • #15 
    THE Top Universities for a Digital Education
    [Published 10 May, 2022]
    • #35 
    • #111 
    THE China Subject Ratings Overall
    [Published 11 May, 2022]

Historic rankings in TOP global university rankings

Chart Data

Subject rankings

Agriculture

    • #57 
    • #230 
    Agriculture
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Business

    • #10 
    • #10 
    Business

    [Published ]
    • #46 
    • #176 
    Business
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #41 
    • #43 
    Entrepreneurship

    [Published ]
    • #28 
    • #51 
    Finance
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]

Computer Science

    • #35 
    • #35 
    Computer Science
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #33 
    • #91 
    Computer Science
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #95 
    • #214 
    Computer Science
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]

Education

    • #45 
    • #45 
    Education
    US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
    [Published 28 March, 2022]
    • #56 
    • #76 
    Education
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #31 
    • #101 
    Education
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #59 
    • #125 
    Education
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #47 
    • #151 
    Education
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]

Engineering

    • #50 
    • #201 
    Biotechnology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #97 
    • #688 
    Chemical Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #78 
    • #298 
    Civil Engineering
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #29 
    • #29 
    Engineering
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #35 
    • #35 
    Engineering
    US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
    [Published 28 March, 2022]
    • #44 
    • #151 
    Engineering
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #80 
    • #476 
    Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #41 
    • #225 
    Environmental Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #86 
    • #215 
    Materials Science
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #82 
    • #220 
    Mechanical Engineering
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #81 
    • #514 
    Mechanical Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Journalism & Media Studies

    • #33 
    • #62 
    Journalism
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Languages & Literature

    • #39 
    • #151 
    Linguistics
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Law

    • #17 
    • #17 
    Law
    US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
    [Published 28 March, 2022]
    • #28 
    • #32 
    Law
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #26 
    • #90 
    Law
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #19 
    • #101 
    Law
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Mathematics

    • #35 
    • #124 
    Mathematics
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #65 
    • #275 
    Mathematics
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #84 
    • #401 
    Mathematics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]

Medicine & Health

    • #14 
    • #51 
    Dentistry
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #21 
    • #81 
    Dentistry
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #21 
    • #54 
    Medicine
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #95 
    • #94 
    Nursing & Health Care
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
    [Published 11 November, 2021]

Natural Sciences

    • #33 
    • #151 
    Chemistry
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #72 
    • #166 
    Chemistry
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #69 
    • #301 
    Chemistry
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #45 
    • #151 
    Geology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #75 
    • #333 
    Geology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #33 
    • #101 
    Physics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #36 
    • #144 
    Physics
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #31 
    • #101 
    Anthropology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #20 
    • #27 
    Economics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #32 
    • #90 
    Economics
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #15 
    • #101 
    Geography
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #20 
    • #101 
    Geography
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #23 
    • #99 
    History
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #37 
    • #151 
    History
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #14 
    • #31 
    Psychology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #33 
    • #51 
    Psychology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #27 
    • #55 
    Psychology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #32 
    • #57 
    Psychology
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #20 
    • #39 
    Social Sciences
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #39 
    • #101 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #30 
    • #42 
    Sociology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #26 
    • #101 
    Sociology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #34 
    • #105 
    Sociology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Highest subject rankings for Boston University

Business US News: Best Online Master's in Business Programs
#10 
Business
Law US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
#17 
Law
Economics GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#27 
Social Studies & Humanities
Engineering Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
#29 
Engineering
Computer Science Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
#35 
Computer Science
Education US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
#45 
Education
Dentistry QS World University Rankings By Subject
#51 
Medicine & Health
Journalism URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#62 
Journalism & Media Studies
Physics GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#101 
Natural Sciences
Mathematics QS World University Rankings By Subject
#124 
Mathematics

About Boston University

PROS

  • Students highlight BU’S practical learning methods, with many expressing that they feel the university prepared them for the realities of working in their chosen field.
  • Boston is full of restaurants, entertainment venues, and a vibrant nightlife scene.
  • Ranked among the global top 100 Universities by Times Higher Education, and among the top 150 universities in the world according to QS World University Rankings.

CONS

  • Numerous students have expressed that the tuition fees are high, especially for the small student residences provided.

Key facts

Foundation year:
1839
Telephone:
(617) 353-2000
Address:
One Silber Way
2215, Boston
USA
Website:
https://www.bu.edu
Social:
Nobel prize laureates:
Osamu Shimomura (, 2008)
 
Osamu Shimomura (, 2008)
  • Finding My Way: BU according to Ashley
  • Why BU?
  • YouSpeak: Is Chivalry Dead on Campus?
  • YouSpeak: Freshmen First Impressions
  • Tips for BU’s Newest International Students: Tuaha Mubarak

Map of Boston University

Other universities in Boston:

FAQ

Boston University ranks #30 in USA in our meta ranking of 112 university rankings. See rankings of all 1924 universities in USA.

Boston University ranks #2 in Boston in our meta ranking. See rankings of all 24 universities in Boston.

Boston University is listed in Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings, THE World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, QS Employability Rankings, THE Global Employability University Ranking, Reuters Most Innovative Universities and more. See all 47 rankings of Boston University.

Boston University achieved #15 in THE Top Universities for a Digital Education. This is the university’s highest ranking in the 112 rankings tracked on our website. See all rankings for Boston University.

Boston University achieved the highest ranking for Journalism & Media Studies. It is ranked #7 in Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors (Communications). See all subject rankings for Boston University.

A large number of university rankings include surveys among academics on reputation. In our meta ranking of 112 university rankings Boston University ranks #2 among universities in Boston and #30 among universities in USA. See all rankings of Boston University.

In our meta ranking Boston University ranks #30 among all universities in USA and Stanford University ranks #1. See all rankings of universities in Boston. Apart from rankings you may also want to see the ratings from students who attended the universities.