Bachelor Programme
Data Science
The BS in Data Science is offered by BU's Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences. It combines computational and statistical thinking to collect, explore and analyse data, find patterns and make predictions about complex real-world processes. The program covers the maths, statistics, algorithms, informatics and software engineering needed to work with large or complex data. It also covers the ethics, regulation and social context of data work, and students learn the full cycle of data-driven inquiry. It is designed so students can add a minor in another field that uses data.
University
Boston University
Country
United States
Level
Bachelor
Field
Data Science
Duration
4 years full-time
Language
English
Campus
Charles River Campus, Boston
Degree
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Data Science
Intake
Fall (September). First-year deadlines are for September entry
Application Deadline
Fall 2027 entry (Common App, US$80 fee or fee waiver): Early Decision I closes 2 November 2026 (binding, decisions 14 December 2026, deposit due early to mid January). Early Decision II and Regular Decision both close 5 January 2027 (ED II decisions 8 February 2027, with the deposit due in late February). The Regular Decision enrolment deposit is due 1 May 2027. BU does not offer Early Action. Some merit scholarships require you to apply by 1 December 2026
Tuition Information
2026-27 (BU's published undergraduate figures, the same for US and international students): tuition US$73,024, fees US$1,570, housing US$13,170 (it depends on the accommodation) and food US$7,570 for most dining plans. That makes US$95,334 in estimated billed expenses. Adding books and supplies (US$1,000), personal expenses (US$1,455) and local transport (US$630) gives a total cost of attendance of about US$98,419. Travel to and from Boston is not part of this budget, and tuition and fees for students entering in fall 2027 have not been set yet. For admitted first-years starting in 2026-27, BU says families with incomes up to US$75,000 (and typical assets) pay nothing, and those up to US$200,000 pay no more than US$20,000 a year. CSS Profile and FAFSA deadlines are listed for US citizens and permanent residents, and international first-year students can apply for merit scholarships
Admission Requirements
- School or college: Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences (CDS). Apply through the Common App, including a counselor recommendation and school report
- Testing: BU is test-optional for first-year applicants through fall 2028 and spring 2029, so SAT/ACT scores are optional for Fall 2027. If you choose to submit scores, BU superscores both the SAT and the ACT and accepts self-reported scores, with official reports needed before you enrol. Your choice about scores cannot be changed after you submit (SAT code 3087, ACT code 1794)
- English proficiency (required if English is not your first language): BU does not set a hard cut-off for every test, but says the most competitive applicants have a TOEFL iBT of at least 90-100 with 20 or more in each section (5.0 or higher on the new TOEFL score scale from 21 January 2026), or a Duolingo score of at least 125-135 (all subscores required). IELTS Academic 7.0 overall meets the requirement for all programs. BU does not accept IELTS Indicator, IELTS One Skill Retake, TOEFL ITP Plus or TOEFL Essentials. An optional InitialView or Vericant interview can add evidence of English, and waiver requests must reach BU by the application deadline