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Boston, MATest-optional~11% admit rate

Boston University SAT & ACT Scores

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1430–1510 on the SAT and 32–34 on the ACT.

Admitted-student score ranges

Each bar shows the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) of admitted students. Aim for the upper end to be comfortably competitive.

SAT total1430 – 1510
40080012001600

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1430 and 1510 on the SAT total.

ACT composite32 – 34
1122436

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 32 and 34 on the ACT composite.

Test25th percentile75th percentile
SAT total14301510
ACT composite3234

What the “middle 50%” actually means

These are not cutoffs. The 25th percentile (1430 SAT / 32 ACT) means a quarter of admitted students scored at or below it, and the 75th percentile (1510 SAT / 34 ACT) means a quarter scored at or above it. Half of admitted students land inside the range — and students are admitted both below and above it every year, because scores are only one part of the application.

Boston University is test-optional

Boston University does not require an SAT or ACT score, but will consider one if you submit it. Because the range below reflects students who chose to submit, a score at or above the 25th percentile (1430 SAT / 32 ACT) generally strengthens your application — while a lower score is usually better left off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Honest answers about SAT and ACT scores for Boston University, from the data above.

What SAT score do I need for Boston University?+
There is no fixed cutoff. The middle 50% of recently enrolled Boston University students scored between 1430 and 1510 on the SAT, so a competitive target is around 1510 (the 75th percentile). A score near 1470 would sit close to the middle of admitted students.
Is a 1430 SAT good enough for Boston University?+
A 1430 sits at roughly the 25th percentile — about a quarter of enrolled students scored at or below it, so it is within range but on the lower end. Admitted students at that level typically stand out in other ways (grades, rigor, essays, activities). Aiming closer to 1510 gives you more margin.
What ACT score do I need for Boston University?+
The middle 50% of recently enrolled students scored 32–34 on the ACT. A composite around 34 would place you near the top of that range; 32 is roughly the 25th percentile.
Is Boston University test-optional or test-required?+
Boston University does not require an SAT or ACT score, but will consider one if you submit it. Because the range below reflects students who chose to submit, a score at or above the 25th percentile (1430 SAT / 32 ACT) generally strengthens your application — while a lower score is usually better left off.

Similar Colleges by SAT Range

Colleges whose admitted-student SAT range is closest to Boston University's (1430–1510).

Georgetown University

Washington, DC

1400–1540

Grinnell College

Grinnell, IA

1410–1540

Hamilton College

Clinton, NY

1440–1510

University of Maryland, College Park

College Park, MD

1400–1530

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA

1410–1520

William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA

1400–1530

Ranked by closeness to Boston University’s SAT range, not by prestige or selectivity.

Know your score before you apply

See where you stand against Boston University's ranges today, then build a plan to close the gap. The full-length adaptive diagnostic is free — no account needed to start.

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Score ranges describe the middle 50% of Boston University’s admitted students (Fall 2024 entering class (CDS 2024–2025)); they are not admission cutoffs or guarantees. Boston University is test-optional and lists scores as considered rather than required. Figures are compiled from official Common Data Set and college sources and may differ slightly from the most recent cycle — always confirm with Boston University’s admissions office.

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