Boston University majors
Boston University: Marsh Plaza and Chapel” by wallyg is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Boston University Majors

Boston University (BU) is a leading private research institution located in Boston, Massachusetts that is well-ranked among U.S. undergraduate colleges. There are two BU campuses in the heart of Boston and various BU affiliate programs worldwide. Imagine, after completing the Boston University application and going through the Boston University admissions process, you’ve received an acceptance letter to BU. After reviewing the top 10 reasons to go to BU, you decide to accept the offer. Now, you have to decide what to major in. If you haven’t already made a college major list, now is the time to start researching Boston University majors and college majors in general. 

Majors at Boston University are grouped by specific Schools and Colleges. There are twelve individual Schools and Colleges at BU, so there are plenty of college majors to choose from. Boston University majors range from the arts to the sciences to specialized fields such as business. While it can be helpful for you to have an idea of what to major in before you enroll in college, keep yourself open to trying out different classes. You may discover a new interest that could lead you to a new minor or even to a switch in your college major. 

In this article, we will go over Boston University majors and minors. We will discuss how many Boston University majors exist, the most renowned BU majors, how to double major at BU, and some Boston University admissions practices in regards to majors. We will also compare majors at Boston University to those at Boston College. Keep reading to learn more!

How Many Majors Does BU Have?

Boston University majors are categorized under Schools and Colleges. There are twelve Schools and Colleges with BU majors that a student can choose to study under:

Undergraduate Schools & Colleges at Boston University

  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • College of Communication
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Fine Arts
  • College of General Studies
  • College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College
  • Faculty of Computing and Data Sciences
  • Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies
  • Questrom School of Business
  • School of Hospitality Administration
  • Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
  • Pre-professional programs across schools:
    • Pre-dentistry
    • Pre-law
    • Pre-medicine
    • Pre-veterinary medicine

Under these Schools and Colleges, there are over 300 majors at Boston University, as well as a number of Boston University minors. Let’s take a closer look at the Boston University majors and minors. 

Choosing Boston University Majors

When deciding what to major in, you should be aware of what Boston University academics require. BU majors consist of at least nine 4-credit courses, though the upper limit of required coursework is determined by individual Schools and Colleges. Additionally, some BU majors include courses that may have prerequisites that you must complete first. You must finish all requirements for your major in order to receive your degree. Many BU majors also have a minimum grade that you must earn in a course in order to count toward the major.

Students are typically required to take both standardized introductory courses and individually selected upper-level electives in order to complete their BU majors. Majors at Boston University allow a student to shape their pathway to suit their particular interests, abilities, and aspirations. Some BU majors, however, have a very strict sequence of courses that need to be completed in order to demonstrate mastery in the field.

Exploring Boston University Minors

It is optional for a student to pursue a Boston University minor. A minor can be a great way to explore an area of interest without having to take on the full academic commitment of a major. There are more than 90 Boston University minors for undergraduate students. Additionally, you can minor in a different School or College than what your major is in.

When deciding whether or not to declare a minor, think about whether you want to take all of the requirements, or only a few. A minor usually requires five to seven courses. A minimum of twelve credits must be unique to any minor and may not double count toward the fulfillment of majors or additional minors.

So, it’s pretty clear that Boston University minors are a great way to broaden your field of study while at school.  

What Majors Is Boston University Known For?

Of all the majors at Boston University, there are some that stick out from the crowd and are among some of the best college majors in the nation. In fact, some Boston University enrollment numbers include students who choose BU specifically for these Boston University majors.

According to data published by GradReports, there are four BU majors in particular that are included on college major lists among the best college majors in the nation. 

Here are the best Boston University majors ranked by earnings one year out of college:

1. Neuroscience

Boston University majors

BU is ranked #45 in the nation for best neuroscience undergraduate degrees. Students who major in neuroscience at BU master the fundamentals of neuroscience, spanning the breadth of the field, from the theoretical to the experimental, and across multiple levels of analysis.

2. Hospitality Management

Boston University majors

BU is ranked among the top 50 for best hospitality management undergraduate degrees. In the School of Hospitality Administration at BU, you can take specialization courses that introduce you to the hospitality industry, while also gaining an edge in critical skills such as writing, research, and analysis through foundational courses.

3. Communications

boston university majors

BU is ranked #8 in the nation for best communications undergraduate degrees. At the College of Communication, you will have access to exceptional professional studies in your chosen department, be it Journalism, Film & Television, Mass Communication or Advertising & Public Relations.

4. Sociology

boston university majors

Sociology is another popular and high-ranking major at BU. Sociology majors at Boston University study social life, social relations, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior, gaining critical thinking and analytical skills through the program. 

Additionally, BU is consistently ranked as one of the best universities in Massachusetts, a great accomplishment for Boston University academics! 

On the BU college major list, some majors rise above the rest in popularity among undergrads. The most popular Boston University majors range all the way from the sciences to the arts. Let’s take a closer look at these popular majors at Boston University below.  

1. Social Science

At the top of the popular college major list are the Social Science BU majors. This focus includes courses in anthropology, sociology, social psychology, political science, and economics.

2. Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Concentrations in these BU majors include accounting, business analytics, finance, entrepreneurship, and technology management.

3. Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

Students choose to focus on film & television, mass communication and advertising & public relations.

4. Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Learn the intricacies of biology, chemistry, molecular biology, and more!

5. Engineering

The engineering Boston University majors include biomedical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Other popular Boston University majors include Health Professions and Related Programs; Psychology; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Visual and Performing Arts; and Mathematics and Statistics. 

To help find your ideal college major, check out this tool. This quiz can help you determine what to major in, or at least help narrow down your college major list.

Can You Double Major At Boston University?

So, you’ve looked at the list of Boston University majors, created a college major list, cross-referenced with a list of best college majors at Boston University, used the BU personalized majors tool, and still can’t decide what to major in. Know that Boston University allows students to remain undeclared until their sophomore year at school. 

Additionally, BU offers students the option to pursue a dual degree. The BU dual degree program allows students to earn two Bachelor’s degrees during their time as an undergraduate. A student’s two Boston University majors can even be from separate undergraduate Schools or Colleges. 

The BU dual degree program requires completion of at least 36 classes (144 credits), three semesters of enrollment in the Dual Degree Program, good academic standing, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. Students must also complete the degree requirements of both Schools or Colleges of Boston University enrollment, including major requirements, general education requirements, and college requirements.

BU’s dual degree program is an excellent option for students who want to have a broad education.

Is Boston University A Prestigious School?

Many factors go into what makes a college prestigious. The Boston University admissions process is rigorous. Of all the undergraduate students who submit a Boston University application, around 19% will receive acceptance letters, deeming it “most selective” by U.S. News. What is more, over 80,000  students applied to BU in 2022, a 24% increase from the previous year, following national trends of increased college application numbers and decreasing acceptance rates. Overall, BU receives an A+ from CollegeAdvisor’s grading system, excelling in academics, diversity, and value.

boston university majors

Boston University majors and minors are part of what makes BU great. In addition to their excellent college major list, the BU student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1 is ideal for getting a quality education. Relatively low Boston University enrollment numbers prevent you from being lost in the crowd.

CollegeAdvisor has wonderful guides to assist you with your Boston University application and help you navigate the Boston University admissions process. There are excellent guides on how to approach the essay requirements, as well as a fantastic How To Get Into guide for BU.  All in all, Boston University is a great school, and it could be the school of your dreams.

Does Boston University Admit By Major?

If you are applying as a first-year student, you must select one of BU’s Schools or Colleges for your Boston University application. It is important to know that students are not required to declare BU majors until the end of their sophomore year if they are not sure what to major in at the time of applying. In fact, most Schools and Colleges within BU have an “undecided” option you can choose in the application process. Recall that Boston University majors are categorized by BU’s Schools and Colleges.

Note, however, that transfer applicants must declare a major when applying to BU. See the complete list of majors as well as a list of undergraduate Schools and Colleges.

Boston University majors and minors are among some of the best college majors and minors in the nation. As we’ve discussed, some BU majors are more popular among students than others. Do your research when applying, make a college major list, and strategize!

Comparing Boston University Majors And Boston College Majors

If you have heard of Boston College, another well-known university in Boston, you may be wondering how Boston University majors compare to those at Boston College. 

Boston University vs. Boston College

First, let’s take a look at a general comparison of Boston University to Boston College. Both schools are private institutions in Boston with an acceptance rate in the teens, which is highly selective. The Boston College acceptance rate was 16.7% for last year, compared to BU’s 19%. However, Boston College has about half the undergraduate population of Boston University. As for tuition, both schools have comparable costs. For the 2023-24 school year, students at Boston University will pay about $63,798 in tuition compared to about $66,410 at Boston College.

Boston College also has some of the best college majors ranked in the nation. Their top five majors have recently included Accounting (#4), Communication (#3), Marketing (#3), Philosophy (#4), and Sociology (#4). Other undergraduate degree programs ranked in the top 15 are English (#11), Finance (#7), History (#13), Mathematics (#9), and Psychology (#8). In short, the top Boston University majors overlap with top Boston College majors.

For more insight into the differences between Boston College and Boston University, check out our webinar panel on the subject. BC and BU current students and alums share experiences at each school. You can also see CollegeAdvisor’s guide on How to Get Into Boston College

Boston University Majors- Final Thoughts

Boston University is an excellent undergraduate school. BU offers over 300 majors among twelve Schools and Colleges at the University and over 90 minors. Additionally, Boston University offers students the option to do a Dual Degree Program, allowing students to major in areas in different Schools or Colleges simultaneously. For students still considering their options, BU allows students to wait until their sophomore year before declaring a major. Boston University majors rank among some of the best college majors in the nation. At Boston University, no matter what your major, you’re sure to receive an excellent education!

boston university majors

This guide to Boston University majors was written by Ciara Ayala. If you want to learn more about Boston University including how to get into BU or other Boston area schools, we’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from top universities. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 576-0953.