Economic Impact

The economic impact of Boston University in Massachusetts is substantial—nearly $4 billion annually. This includes approximately $175 million in goods and services purchased annually from Boston vendors, $11+ million in scholarships to Boston public school graduates (FY2018), and $6.3 million in PILOT payments (FY2018). We are Boston’s third-largest private employer, and spending in Boston by our students and visitors totals over $275 million each year.

2018 Boston University Fact Sheet

  • 34,262 students (Fall 2017 mid-semester)
  • 130+ countries that our students call home
  • 14,203 faculty and staff
  • 17 schools and colleges
  • 300+ programs of study
  • 3rd largest private employer in Boston
  • >$3.9 billion economic impact in Massachusetts
  • $419.3 million in grant and contract awards (FY2018)
  • $11+ million in scholarships to Boston public school graduates (FY2018)
  • ~$275 million annually in student and visitor spending in Boston
  • Hundreds of social programs geared to Bostonians
  • 100,000+ student community service hours

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