Boston University Cuts 25% Off Grad Tuition for Alumni

Boston University is making it significantly easier for its graduates to return for a master's degree, and thousands of students stand to benefit.

The new Double Terrier Scholarship automatically awards a 25% tuition discount to any BU bachelor's degree holder who enrolls in an eligible master's program. The scholarship launched this year and requires no separate application—students receive the award upon admission.

Gabriela Aragon, graduating this spring with her economics degree, is already planning her next move. She's enrolling in BU's online master's program in applied business analytics this summer, a path she says might not have been realistic without the scholarship.

"Graduate school is a big investment, so knowing there was a 25% tuition discount for BU alumni made a big difference," Aragon says. After landing a data analyst position at a fine art company where she previously interned, she's eager to deepen the technical skills she started building as an undergrad.

The timing couldn't be better for graduates considering advanced degrees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that master's degree holders earn up to $11,000 more annually than those with bachelor's degrees, and entry-level jobs requiring master's degrees are expected to grow 17% through 2026.

The scholarship applies to most BU master's programs across the university, though some online programs like the Online MBA and Online MS in Data Science are excluded. Current master's students aren't eligible, but all past and future BU graduates qualify when they enroll in eligible programs starting summer 2026.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond individual savings, the scholarship strengthens something less tangible but equally valuable: community. "Our students don't stop being Terriers at graduation," says BU Provost Gloria Waters. "By supporting their return for graduate study, we are strengthening our community and empowering the next generation to lead, innovate, and drive change."

The automatic nature of the award removes a common barrier to graduate education—the complicated application process for financial aid. Students admitted to eligible programs receive the 25% discount as part of their total scholarship package, making the path from bachelor's to master's remarkably straightforward.

For graduates like Aragon who've spent four years building connections and learning the campus resources, staying at BU offers comfort alongside savings. Sometimes the best next step is one that builds on where you've already been.