Boston U Housing Costs

$12,180 On-Campus Room Typical Cost

$6,840 On-Campus Meals Typical Cost

$1,000 Books & Supplies Typical Cost

$2,085 Other Living Expenses Typical Cost

How Do Housing Costs Compare at Boston U?

Room, board, and other expenses can add up to a significant amount. How much does this school charge for these necessities at Boston University.

On this page you will find:

Living Expenses Outline
Room & Board Trends and Total Expenses
Meal Plans and Housing Requirements
References

Living Expenses at Boston U

Housing and meal plans are priced out separately here. The standard student paid $12,180 in 2026, and the cost of a typical dining plan was $6,840. When you add it all up, the average on-campus student at Boston University spent approximately $24,190 in 2026 after factoring in housing, meals, books and other essentials.

Discover housing costs for both on-campus and off-campus, as well as meals and other expenses at Boston University.

Expense	On Campus	Off Campus
Room and Board	$21,105	$21,105
— Housing	$12,180
— Meals	$6,840
Other Living Expenses	$2,085	$2,085
Books and Supplies	$1,000	$1,000
Total	$24,190	$24,190

Will You Spend Four Years On Campus? Estimated Four-Year Cost: $105,789

Room and board is a moving target: it tends to creep up every year you are enrolled. Estimating the trend now makes for a more accurate four-year budget.

Over four years you could pay about $105,789 in housing, food and other expenses.

Here is how combined on-campus room and board has moved over the last few reported years, with a projection of where it is headed, at Boston University.

Year	Room & Board
Three Years Ago	$18,790
Two Years Ago	$19,400
One Year Ago	$20,195
Most Recent Year (2026)	$21,105
One Year From Now *	$21,971
Two Years From Now *	$22,874
Three Years From Now *	$23,813
Four Years From Now *	$24,791

* estimated

Room and board changed an average of 4.1% each year. Based on current trends, incoming freshmen can expect to pay about $25,056 in housing, food and other costs their first year.

Projected forward, the last year of a four-year degree runs about $27,876 in year four — and a two-year student about $25,959 by the end of a two-year program.

For a full bachelor’s degree, expect to spend a total of around $105,789 over four years — compared with roughly $51,015 for a two-year (associate) degree.