Overview
Chestnut Hill, MA Boston College is known for the Gothic gargoyles on its campus, its strong liberal arts curriculum, and its famous alumni, who include John F. Kerry, Amy Poehler, and Leonard Nimoy.
There are currently 9,751 undergraduates at Boston College and the school’s acceptance rate is 17%. The tuition at Boston College is $64,176.
Boston College is a Roman Catholic school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the Roman Catholic faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at Boston College to help you make an educated decision.
University
City
Need Blind
SupplementalEssay
100% Need
QuestBridge
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$83,746
$44,656
$39,090
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$83,746for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Boston College is $83,746. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Boston College would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Boston College Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Boston College need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Boston College is 002128 and the CSS Profile Code is 3083.
It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Using State Grants at Boston College
Massachusetts residents who are considering Boston College should be sure to look into state grants to help fund your education. Massachusetts has a wide variety of programs, including the need-based tuition waiver program, the MASSGrant, the Massachusetts Gilbert Matching Student Grant Program, and MCAS Scholarships. The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, which is for students who performed well on the MCAS, offers a tuition waiver for up to eight semesters of public school.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Massachusetts scholarships
Boston College QuestBridge Scholarships
Boston College is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Boston College through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.
Boston College’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee
Boston College has committed to meeting 100% of applicants’ financial needs. They determine your financial need using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, and will ensure that your financial aid package covers any costs you cannot pay.
Stamps Scholarship at Boston College
Boston College participates in the Stamps Scholarship Program, which means that they offer recurring scholarships to select admitted students. These awards range between $6,000 to $90,000 per year. Many schools automatically consider admitted students for Stamps Scholarships. However, some schools have a separate application process; be sure to check Boston College's website for information on how to apply.
National Merit Scholarships
If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at Boston College? Boston College offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check Boston College's website for more information!
Pell Grants at Boston College
13% of students at Boston College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Boston College.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Boston College students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Boston College Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Boston College or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/offices/student-services/financial-aid.html
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 617-552-3300
Admissions
17%
34
1455 is the median SAT score and 34 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Boston College. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Does Boston College have a supplemental essay?
Yes, applicants to Boston College will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Boston College Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Boston College test-optional?
Boston College is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Boston College?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Boston College receive between a 33 and a 35 on their ACT, or a 1403 and a 1525 on their SAT.
Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Boston College?
Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Boston College. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Boston College?
Students must apply by January 2 to enroll at Boston College during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At Boston College students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 1.
You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 2.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Boston College?
Applying to Boston College with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision
Is Boston College need-blind?
Yes, Boston College has need-blind admissions, which means they do not take financial need into account when they decide who to accept. If your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile indicate that you would need substantial financial aid, you will still be on equal footing with applicants who do not require any aid at all.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
12:1
Graduation Rate
91%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
21%
21% of graduates
Social Sciences
19%
19% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
13%
13% of graduates
Psychology
10%
10% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
7%
7% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
4%
4% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
4%
4% of graduates
English Language & Literature
3%
3% of graduates
Mathematics
3%
3% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Education
1%
1% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
1%
1% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
1%
1% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
9,751
Pell Grant 13%
Undergrad Students Over 25 2%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 2%
Percent Male / Female 47% / 53%
Ethnic Diversity at Boston College
58% White
11% Asian / Pacific Islander
11% Hispanic
7% International / Non-Citizen
5% Black
3% Multiracial
3% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$103,937
Median Debt $19,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $201
Graduation Rate 91%
What is the graduation rate at Boston College?
91% of students who start at Boston College end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 33% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Boston College go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Boston College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $103,937. This is $53,546 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Boston College take out in loans?
Graduates of Boston College have to take out a median of $19,000 in federal student loans. This is $5,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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