Boston University

Boston University, often called BU, is a private research institution that calls the heart of Boston home. It got its start in 1839 when a group of Boston Methodists founded it as the Newbury Biblical Institute in rural Vermont, but the university moved to Boston in 1867 and was officially chartered there in 1869. Today, BU is a major player in higher education, with nearly 38,000 students and over 4,000 faculty members, making it one of the city's largest employers and a hub of academic activity.

The university is known for its strong programs across disciplines, from the sciences to the arts, and its campus is woven into the fabric of Boston, stretching along the Charles River. BU is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and the Boston Consortium for Higher Education, which means it's part of an elite group of research institutions. Its students and faculty are constantly pushing boundaries, whether in labs, studios, or classrooms. With a bustling student life and a commitment to research, BU offers a dynamic environment that attracts people from all over the world.

BU's Charles River Campus sits along the river in the Fenway-Kenmore and Allston neighborhoods, while the Medical Campus is in the South End. The university also runs study abroad programs and research centers on several continents. It operates 10 undergraduate schools and colleges, plus graduate and professional programs that add up to more than 300 fields of study. The student body is diverse, with students from all 50 states and over 130 countries. [edit]

Boston University's mission is to provide an education that combines rigorous scholarship with real-world impact. The university aims to advance knowledge through research, foster critical thinking and creativity, and prepare students to lead in a global society. BU emphasizes access and opportunity, recently launching the BU Promise program to make education more affordable, and it supports a culture of innovation across all disciplines. [edit]

Boston University traces its roots to 1839, when a group of Boston Methodists established the Newbury Biblical Institute in Newbury, Vermont. The institute moved to Concord, New Hampshire, in 1847, and then to Boston in 1867, where it was chartered as Boston University in 1869. The university's founders had a vision of an institution that would be open to all, regardless of race, gender, or religion.

In 1873, BU opened the School of Medicine, which was among the first coeducational medical schools in the world. The university continued to expand, adding schools of law, theology, and music in the late 19th century. By the early 20th century, BU had established itself as a major urban university, with a growing campus along the Charles River.

The post-World War II era brought significant growth, fueled by the GI Bill and a surge in research funding. In 1955, Martin Luther King Jr. received his PhD in theology from BU, a milestone in the university's history. The 1960s and 1970s saw the construction of many of the campus's iconic buildings, including the Marsh Chapel and the Mugar Memorial Library.

In 2012, BU joined the Association of American Universities, a select group of leading research universities in North America. This recognition underscored BU's growth as a research powerhouse. In 2024, Melissa L. Gilliam became the first woman and first person of color to serve as president, marking a new chapter. In 2026, BU launched the BU Promise program, a major financial aid expansion aimed at making education more affordable for middle- and lower-income families. [edit]