Student Enrollment

Current student body demographics and enrollment patterns at Boston University

Boston, MA

Total Enrollment

36,624

Currently enrolled students

Program Options

546

546 programs

Full-Time Students

17,899

757 part-time

Total FTE

35,538

Full-time equivalent students

Student-Faculty Ratio

10:1

Students per faculty member

What Is the Student Body Size?

Training Program Focus

496

Certificate Graduates

Short-term specialized training

13495

Total Recent Graduates

With 36,624 students, Boston University is a large institution offering diverse educational programs and extensive facilities. The school offers 546 specialized programs designed for immediate workforce entry.

How Do Students Attend?

Attendance Status Distribution

Full-Time Students 17,899 (95.9%)

95.9%

Part-Time Students 757 (4.1%)

Total Students 18,656

Predominantly full-time students (95.9%), typical of traditional academic programs.

Full-Time

Part-Time

Students are split between full-time (48.9%) and part-time attendance, reflecting flexible scheduling for working professionals.

Who Are the Students?

Student Demographics

Gender Distribution

Women

57.4%

21,017 students

Men

42.6%

15,607 students

Race/Ethnicity Distribution

Primary Ethnic Group

White

33.5%

12,255 students

White

33.5% (12,255)

International Students

28.6% (10,468)

Asian

15.1% (5,543)

Hispanic/Latino

9.4% (3,433)

Black/African American

4.9% (1,798)

Two or More Races

3.4% (1,246)

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.1% (22)

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.0% (18)

Demographics Summary

Gender: Balanced gender distribution across 36,624 students

Largest Ethnic Group: White students make up 33% of the student body (12,255 students)

The student body reflects diverse backgrounds and demographics.

Interested in Academic Quality & Learning Environment?

Explore retention rates, student-faculty ratios, distance education options, and academic intensity on our dedicated Academics page.

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How Are Students Distributed by Level?

Undergraduate students

18,656 students

42% Men, 58% Women

17,899 Full-time 757 Part-time

Diversity Index: 79% • Minority Students: 36%

Graduate students

17,968 students

43% Men, 57% Women

11,205 Full-time 6,763 Part-time

Diversity Index: 73% • Minority Students: 23%

What Are the Attendance Patterns?

Full-Time Students

All Full-Time

29,104

All full-time students

12,234 men, 16,870 women

Diversity: 77%

FT Undergraduate

17,899

Full-time undergraduate

7,462 men, 10,437 women

Diversity: 79%

FT Degree-Seeking

17,664

Full-time degree/certificate-seeking

7,367 men, 10,297 women

Diversity: 79%

FT First-Time

3,145

Full-time first-time students

1,315 men, 1,830 women

Diversity: 80%

FT Continuing

14,519

Full-time continuing students

6,052 men, 8,467 women

Diversity: 78%

FT Transfer

926

Full-time transfer students

394 men, 532 women

Diversity: 76%

FT Continuing

13,593

Full-time other continuing

5,658 men, 7,935 women

Diversity: 78%

FT Non-Degree

235

Full-time non-degree seeking

95 men, 140 women

Diversity: 57%

FT Graduate

11,205

Full-time graduate students

4,772 men, 6,433 women

Diversity: 70%

Part-Time Students

All Part-Time

7,520

All part-time students

3,373 men, 4,147 women

Diversity: 76%

PT Undergraduate

757

Part-time undergraduate

348 men, 409 women

Diversity: 72%

PT Degree-Seeking

186

Part-time degree/certificate-seeking

79 men, 107 women

Diversity: 77%

PT Continuing

186

Part-time continuing students

79 men, 107 women

Diversity: 77%

PT Transfer

Part-time transfer students

1 men, 3 women

Diversity: 63%

PT Continuing

182

Part-time other continuing

78 men, 104 women

Diversity: 76%

PT Non-Degree

571

Part-time non-degree seeking

269 men, 302 women

Diversity: 63%

PT Graduate

6,763

Part-time graduate students

3,025 men, 3,738 women

Diversity: 75%

Understanding Student Categories

First-Time: Students starting their first postsecondary program

Continuing: Students who previously enrolled and are returning

Transfer: Students who transferred from other institutions

Degree-Seeking: Students enrolled in certificate or degree programs

Non-Degree: Students taking courses without pursuing a formal credential

What Is the Diversity Picture?

Undergraduate students

6,069

White

1,088

Black/African American

2,055

Hispanic/Latino

3,587

Asian

4,057

International

Diversity Index: 79% Minority Students: 36%

Graduate students

6,186

White

710

Black/African American

1,378

Hispanic/Latino

1,956

Asian

6,411

International

Diversity Index: 73% Minority Students: 23%

Want to See Student Success & Outcomes?

Explore completion rates, transfer patterns, and detailed 8-year student outcome tracking on our dedicated Student Outcomes page.

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Student Life & Campus Experience

Diverse Student Community

Students from various backgrounds come together to learn career-focused skills in a supportive environment.

Flexible Scheduling

Many students balance work and family commitments with their studies through part-time and evening programs.

Career-Focused Learning

Students are goal-oriented, seeking practical skills and credentials that lead directly to employment opportunities.

Explore More About Boston University

College Overview

General information

Programs & Degrees

Available study options

Admissions

Requirements & process

AI-generated illustration of diverse students on a college campus with enrollment statistics, charts showing student demographics, attendance patterns, and campus life activities

Key Takeaways About Boston University's Student Body

• Training Environment: Large institution with 36,624 students offering extensive programs and state-of-the-art facilities.

• Study Patterns: Flexible scheduling with many part-time students balancing work and education.

• Academic Intensity: 35,538 FTE students indicates predominantly full-time academic commitment.

• Learning Format: Traditional in-person education with online components for flexibility.

• Academic Environment: Excellent student-faculty ratio (10:1) ensures personalized attention and mentorship.

• Student Diversity: Highly diverse student body with excellent representation across ethnic and racial groups.

• Learning Environment: Students benefit from career-focused education with hands-on training, experienced instructors, and support services designed to help them achieve their professional goals.

• Community: The student body includes diverse learners from various backgrounds, creating a rich learning environment where students can network and learn from each other's experiences.

Get Information

Visit Website Admissions Office College Overview

Contact Information

Phone

6173532000

Address

One Silber Way

Boston, MA 02215

Student Success

The student body at colleges often includes:

• Working adults seeking career changes
• Recent high school graduates
• Military veterans using education benefits
• Students upgrading skills in their field
• Individuals seeking fast-track credentials