Hosea Ballou II (October 18, 1796 – May 27, 1861) was an American Universalist minister and the first president of Tufts University from 1853 to 1861.

The title of this article reflects the more recent generational suffix usage of the Roman numeral II for those named for an uncle.

Ballou promoted the establishment of seminaries for religious training, something which was at that time opposed by a number of influential Universalists, including his uncle Hosea.

In 1843, he replaced Ellery Channing as a member of the Harvard Board of Overseers, and retained this position until 1858.

[4] Privately educated, Ballou was awarded two honorary degrees from Harvard University - the Master of Arts (AM) in 1844, then the Doctor of Divinity (DD) in 1845.