As you prepare to budget for your educational expenses, you will find some costs easier to predict than others. You will also need money for books, supplies, personal expenses and transportation. Here is a breakdown of billed and estimated expenses for the 2025/2026 academic year at BU.
Tuition, Fees and Estimated Living Expenses
| Item | Per semester | Academic Year (2 semesters) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition: | $34,935 | $69,870 |
| Fees | $581 | $1,162 |
| Housing & Food (estimate) | $7,725 | $15,450 |
| Personal (estimated) | $1,646 | $3,292 |
| Transportation (estimated) | $560 | $1,120 |
| Books & Supplies (estimated) | $647 | $1,294 |
| Fed. Loan Fees | $104 | $208 |
| Total | $46,198 | $92,396 |
Medical Insurance $3,401.00*
*Based on 24/25 rate for Basic plan.
*Tuition and fees are subject to change by action of the Board of Trustees. This is the cost breakdown by semester and for one academic year in Boston. Students with a third semester of enrollment will have an additional semester of tuition and fees.
*Students in the MS in Television, MFA in Screenwriting, and MS in Media Ventures program will have a different cost breakdown for the semester(s) spent in Los Angeles. Los Angeles fees are set by the Study Abroad Office and can be found on their website.
Massachusetts law requires all students enrolled in at least 75% of the full-time curriculum to have medical insurance. Students who cannot demonstrate coverage under a qualifying medical insurance plan are required to purchase the University’s student health insurance plan, which is due and payable with your first-semester charges. For more information, see the Student Accounting Services website.
Cost of Attendance Calculator
Use tab key to advance. Based on tuition for 2025/2026. Please submit your name and email so we can follow up with you about financial aid.