Private nonprofit · College

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts · Small city

16.4%
Admit rate
$41,704
Avg net price
91%
Graduation rate
$103,937
Median earnings

Boston College is a private nonprofit bachelor's-granting institution in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts (small city setting), enrolling 10,085 undergraduates. It has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

Private nonprofitMidsize · 10,085 undergradsSmall cityVery selective · 16% admitNCAA Division I-FBS · Atlantic Coast ConferenceCold wintersSnowyNear the coast

Will you get in?

See where your numbers land against Boston College's admitted students.

Admit rate
16.4%
SAT (mid 50%)
1440–1540
Avg GPA (est.)
4.00

Enter a test score to see where you land against Boston College's admitted students.

A guide, not a prediction. It compares your numbers with the middle 50% of admitted students and Boston College's overall admit rate — it can't see essays, recommendations, activities, or your intended major, which all move real decisions.

About Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Chestnut Hill is a village located six miles (10 km) west of downtown Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The boundary between Newton and Brighton was originally more or less straight northwest–southeast, following today's boundary at the east edge of the Newton Commonwealth Golf Course, and the west boundary of the MBTA rail yards. (Wikipedia)

Setting
Small city
Highest degree offered
Graduate
Nearest big city
6 miles to Boston, MA
To the ocean
6 miles
Nearest airport
8 miles to Boston Logan (BOS) · major hub

How Boston College compares

View 116 more ranking appearances
#31 · Private Nonprofit Colleges with the Highest Retention Rates #81 · Private Nonprofit Colleges with the Lowest Student Debt #32 · Private Nonprofit Colleges with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #3 · Large Universities with the Highest Former-Student Earnings #11 · Large Universities with the Highest Graduation Rates #15 · Large Universities with the Highest Retention Rates #72 · Large Universities with the Lowest Student Debt #13 · Large Universities with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #12 · Residential Colleges (Dorm Capacity for at Least 50% of Undergraduates) with the Highest Former-Student Earnings #40 · Residential Colleges (Dorm Capacity for at Least 50% of Undergraduates) with the Highest Graduation Rates #33 · Residential Colleges (Dorm Capacity for at Least 50% of Undergraduates) with the Highest Retention Rates #77 · Residential Colleges (Dorm Capacity for at Least 50% of Undergraduates) with the Lowest Student Debt #32 · Residential Colleges (Dorm Capacity for at Least 50% of Undergraduates) with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #13 · Test-Optional Colleges with the Highest Former-Student Earnings #42 · Test-Optional Colleges with the Highest Graduation Rates #36 · Test-Optional Colleges with the Highest Retention Rates #34 · Test-Optional Colleges with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #51 · Colleges with the Highest First-Year Retention Rates #50 · Colleges with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #23 · Colleges with the Highest Six-Year Former-Student Earnings #12 · Colleges with the Highest Loan Repayment Rates #17 · Colleges with the Highest Four-Year Graduation Rates #42 · Colleges with the Highest Pell Recipient Completion Rates #39 · Colleges with the Highest First-Generation Completion Rates #41 · Colleges with the Largest Average Institutional Grants #36 · Colleges with the Highest Average SAT Scores #11 · Colleges with the Highest ACT Midpoint Scores #25 · Colleges Offering the Most Varsity Sports #50 · Colleges with the Most Varsity Sports Participation Entries #5 · Colleges with the Highest Former-Student Earnings in Massachusetts #55 · Colleges with the Lowest Net Price in Massachusetts #8 · Colleges with the Highest Graduation Rates in Massachusetts #8 · Colleges with the Lowest Student Debt in Massachusetts #8 · Colleges with the Highest Retention Rates in Massachusetts #11 · Best Colleges in the Northeast #25 · Colleges with the Highest Graduation Rates in the Northeast #18 · Colleges with the Highest Retention Rates in the Northeast #54 · Colleges with the Lowest Student Debt in the Northeast #8 · Best Colleges on the East Coast #31 · Colleges with the Highest Graduation Rates on the East Coast #28 · Colleges with the Highest Retention Rates on the East Coast #77 · Colleges with the Lowest Student Debt on the East Coast #5 · Best Colleges in New England #97 · Colleges with the Lowest Net Price in New England #15 · Colleges with the Highest Graduation Rates in New England #12 · Colleges with the Highest Retention Rates in New England #17 · Colleges with the Lowest Student Debt in New England #53 · Colleges with the Highest Earnings Relative to Net Price in New England #5 · Colleges with the Highest Former-Student Earnings Near Boston, MA #5 · Colleges with the Highest Former-Student Earnings Near Providence, RI #5 · Colleges with the Highest Former-Student Earnings Near Worcester, MA #5 · Colleges with the Highest Former-Student Earnings Near Manchester, NH #19 · Bachelor's Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #39 · Bachelor's Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #86 · Bachelor's Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #26 · Bachelor's Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #34 · Bachelor's Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #13 · Bachelor's Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #9 · Bachelor's Psychology, General Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #8 · Bachelor's Psychology, General Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #86 · Bachelor's Psychology, General Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #25 · Bachelor's Psychology, General Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #22 · Bachelor's Biology, General Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #46 · Bachelor's Biology, General Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #11 · Bachelor's Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #54 · Bachelor's Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #20 · Bachelor's Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #10 · Bachelor's Accounting and Related Services Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #3 · Bachelor's Accounting and Related Services Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #69 · Bachelor's Accounting and Related Services Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #10 · Bachelor's Accounting and Related Services Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #10 · Bachelor's Finance and Financial Management Services Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #7 · Bachelor's Finance and Financial Management Services Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #49 · Bachelor's Finance and Financial Management Services Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #11 · Bachelor's Finance and Financial Management Services Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #5 · Bachelor's Communication and Media Studies Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #6 · Bachelor's Communication and Media Studies Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #66 · Bachelor's Communication and Media Studies Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #15 · Bachelor's Communication and Media Studies Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #8 · Bachelor's Marketing Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #2 · Bachelor's Marketing Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #40 · Bachelor's Marketing Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #6 · Bachelor's Marketing Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #56 · Bachelor's Computer Science Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #28 · Bachelor's Computer Science Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #65 · Bachelor's Computer Science Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #32 · Bachelor's Computer Science Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #48 · Bachelor's Political Science and Government Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #16 · Bachelor's Political Science and Government Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #80 · Bachelor's Political Science and Government Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #28 · Bachelor's Political Science and Government Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #34 · Bachelor's Economics Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #35 · Bachelor's Economics Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #67 · Bachelor's Economics Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #38 · Bachelor's Economics Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #8 · Bachelor's Sociology Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #4 · Bachelor's Sociology Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #70 · Bachelor's Sociology Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #18 · Bachelor's Sociology Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #20 · Bachelor's English Language and Literature, General Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #12 · Bachelor's English Language and Literature, General Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #76 · Bachelor's English Language and Literature, General Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #30 · Bachelor's English Language and Literature, General Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #40 · Bachelor's History Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #19 · Bachelor's History Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #76 · Bachelor's History Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #26 · Bachelor's History Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #22 · Bachelor's Mathematics Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #18 · Bachelor's Mathematics Programs with the Highest Five-Year Earnings #63 · Bachelor's Mathematics Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #15 · Bachelor's Mathematics Programs with the Lowest Debt Relative to Earnings #11 · Bachelor's Natural Resources Conservation and Research Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #33 · Bachelor's Natural Resources Conservation and Research Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #48 · Bachelor's Chemistry Programs with the Lowest Student Debt #12 · Bachelor's Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Programs with the Highest First-Year Earnings #20 · Bachelor's Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Programs with the Lowest Student Debt
Selectivity16.4%

More selective than 96% · #9 most selective of 63 in Massachusetts

SAT average1507

Higher than 96%

Graduation rate91%

Higher than 96% · #9 of 66 in Massachusetts

First-year retention96%

Higher than 94%

Earnings, 10 years after entry$103,937

Higher than 99% · #6 of 67 in Massachusetts

Average net price$41,704

Cheaper than 3% · #60 cheapest of 65 in Massachusetts

Median debt at graduation$19,000

Lower than 80%

Student–faculty ratio10 : 1

Lower than 76%

Undergraduate enrollment10,085

Larger than 89%

Percentiles compare Boston College with the nation's 2,196 four-year colleges, among schools reporting each statistic. State ranks count four-year colleges in Massachusetts.

Boston College campus

Student body

Undergraduate vs. graduate

15,203students
  • Undergraduate10,08566%
  • Graduate5,11834%

Undergraduates by gender

10,085undergrads
  • Women5,23352%
  • Men4,85248%

Undergraduates by race / ethnicity

  • White57%
  • Black5.3%
  • Hispanic13%
  • Asian11%
  • Other or multiracial14%

Graduate gender splits aren't published in this data, so the gender chart covers undergraduates only.

By the numbers

Undergraduate enrollment
10,085
Graduate enrollment
5,118
Student–faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell Grant recipients
13%
First-generation students
13%
Students over 25
2%
Median family income
$103,007
Avg faculty salary (academic year)
$163,179
Endowment
$3,908,450,339

Colleges don't publish true class-size data; student–faculty ratio (IPEDS) is the closest public measure of it.

Admissions

Admission rate
16.4%
Test scores
Considered but not required
SAT range (25th–75th %)
1440–1540
SAT average
1507
SAT reading
710–760
SAT math
730–780
ACT composite
33–35
Average GPA (estimated)
4.00

Cost

In-state tuition
$70,702
Room & board
$18,916
Books & supplies
$1,250
Total cost of attendance
$89,493
Average net price
$41,704

Net price is the total cost minus grants and scholarships — what students actually pay. It varies sharply by family income; see the breakdown below.

Outcomes

Graduated (within 6 years)
91%
Graduated on time (4 years)
86%
First-year retention
96%
Transferred to another college
7%
Median earnings, 6 years after entry
$85,717
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
$103,937
Median debt at graduation
$19,000
Students with federal loans
30%
Paying down their loans (1 year in)
89%

Graduating on time

By student background (4 years)

All students
86%
Low-income (Pell)
83%
First-generation
83%

When these bars run close together, students from every background tend to finish at similar rates — a sign the school supports the ~30% who are first-gen or low-income.

Campus life & athletics

On-campus housing
Yes
Dorm capacity
7,607
Dorm capacity vs undergrads
75%
Housing charge (year)
$10,470
Meal plan (year)
$8,005
Application fee
$80
Athletics
NCAA Division I-FBS
Football conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
Varsity athletes
921 (478 men · 443 women)

Housing and fees: IPEDS 2023–24. Athletics rosters: Equity in Athletics data, 2024–25. Dorm capacity can include graduate and family housing, so the share of undergrads can top 100%.

Varsity sports (17)

Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)203
Football148
Soccer73
Rowing65
Swimming and Diving (combined)59
Ice Hockey54
Baseball43
Fencing37
Lacrosse33
Sailing33
Basketball30
Skiing28
Softball26
Field Hockey25
Tennis25
Volleyball22
Golf17

Athlete counts per sport, Equity in Athletics data, 2024–25.

Campus safety

Safety grade
B
Reported offenses per 1,000 students
2.0 / year
Violent offenses (2022–2024)
82
Property offenses (2022–2024)
9

On-campus criminal offenses reported under the Clery Act, 2022–2024, across 1 campus (15,432 students). Counts reflect reports, not convictions — schools with strong reporting cultures often show more, so a higher count doesn't simply mean a more dangerous campus.

Reported offenses in an average year

The same 2022–2024 Clery Act reports, divided down to one year.

30reported offenses a year
27 violent a year3.0 property a year

By offense type, per year

Rape
16
Fondling
10
Aggravated assault
1.3
Burglary
1.3
Motor vehicle theft
1.3
Arson
0.3

Averages, not a forecast — a single year can run well above or below this. Bars are scaled against this campus's most-reported offense, so they compare types here rather than against other schools.

What you'll actually pay, by family income

Average net price (total cost minus grants and scholarships) paid by aided students in each family-income band.

< $30k
$4,284
$30–48k
$7,304
$48–75k
$13,112
$75–110k
$19,999
$110k+
$60,308

College Scorecard / IPEDS, most recent year. Family income is total household income; net price covers tuition, fees, room, board and supplies after grant aid, for students receiving federal aid.

Four-year (or more) true cost

Net price for your family's income, projected across the time it actually takes students here to graduate.

Est. total to a degree
$53,399

$13,112/year × about 4.1 years — most students here don't finish in exactly four, and each extra term adds cost. A planning estimate from net-price and graduation-timing data, not a bill.

Does the school pay you to attend?

Grant aid from the school's own funds — the discount off sticker, on top of any federal or state help.

42%
of first-years get a grant from the school
$49,342
average award, among those who get one

A meaningful share of freshmen — 42% — get grant money from Boston College itself, averaging $49,342, which softens the sticker price.

Blends need-based and merit aid — IPEDS doesn't split the two, so a high number can mean generous merit scholarships, deep need-based aid, or both. Figures cover 2,335 full-time first-year undergraduates, 2022–23. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid.

Is it worth it?

A rough return-on-investment read from what graduates earn versus what they borrow.

Median earnings (10 years)
$103,937
Typical debt at graduation
$19,000
Debt vs. one year's pay
18%
Out-earn a HS grad
86%

Typical debt would take roughly 1.8 years to repay at about a tenth of median earnings.

Strong value

Graduates here tend to earn well relative to what they borrow — typical debt pays back fast, and most out-earn a high-school graduate.

Earnings are the College Scorecard median for former students (working, not enrolled) 10 years after entry — not a guarantee, and they vary a lot by major. Debt is the median federal loan balance at graduation.

The pay gap here

Median earnings 10 years after entry, split by gender.

Women
$95,033
Men
$117,199

Men out-earn women by $22,166 (23%) a decade out.

Federal figures for former students working and not enrolled, 10 years after they first entered. A gap this wide usually reflects which majors men and women here tend to choose — not different pay for the same job.

Campus climate

Summer high
85°F
Winter low
19°F
Annual rain
49.4″
Annual snow
49.2″

Average temperature

HighLow
10°50°90°JFMAMJJASOND

Average precipitation (inches)

0.02.55.1JFMAMJJASOND

NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Jamaica Plain, MA US station (3.2 mi from campus).

Median earnings of this school's own graduates 1 and 5 years after finishing each program, and median federal-loan debt at completion (College Scorecard). Small programs are privacy-suppressed (—). Click a major to compare colleges nationally.

Colleges similar to Boston College

Schools with a comparable profile — size, selectivity, cost, and graduate outcomes. Compare Boston College side by side →

Colleges near Boston College

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard (most recent cohorts), IPEDS institutional characteristics, Equity in Athletics (EADA) data, Clery Act Campus Safety and Security data, and NOAA US Climate Normals. Distances are straight-line from campus coordinates. Percentiles compare schools of the same level (four-year vs. two-year) that report each statistic.