Boston College is a private, Roman Catholic Jesuit research university that is located just six miles from downtown Boston. The university is spread over 335 acres in the town of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The suburban atmosphere is situated close enough to a major city to give students a variety of environments. With over 9,000 undergraduates, Boston College has maintained low classroom sizes since it was established in 1863.
Because of its religious ties, Boston College places a large importance on the role of the Catholic Church in education. Students are encouraged to view their studies through a religious lens that will help them focus on making positive changes to society. The university does offer a wide range of majors, the most popular being economics, finance, biology, political science, communication, and psychology. Another well-respected program is the undergraduate school of business, The Carroll School of Management, which is consistently ranked as one of the best undergraduate business schools in the country.
Although the university does not have on-campus sororities or fraternities, students still have many opportunities to get involved on campus. Boston College offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities, with more than 270 clubs and organizations on campus. Their well-known student newspaper, The Heights, shares the nickname of the school’s hilltop campus. The Stylus of Boston College is an undergraduate literary magazine which has been published since 1882. Boston College is also home to the Elements Undergraduate Research Journal, which is released twice a year.
Music is an important element on campus. There are groups like the Boston College Screaming Eagles Marching Band, the Symphony Orchestra, and the University Chorale. Athletics also hold a significant place at Boston College. The 27 varsity teams, known as the Eagles, compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level. These student athletes are also considered some of the most academically successful individuals in the country.
Students who are interested in a strong education with ties to the Catholic Church should look into Boston College’s impressive academic programs. The university’s notable research facilities and dedicated faculty provide students with a nurturing environment in a suburban setting. Well-ranked undergraduate programs have resulted in Boston College being named one of the best “New Ivies” in the country.
Acceptance Rate
SAT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
ACT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
Application Deadlines
Early decision: Nov.1
Regular decision: Jan. 1
Admissions Criteria
Freshmen Admissions
Number of 2018 (Class of 2022) applicants: 31,084
Enrolled: 2,327
Yield: 27%
Acceptance rate: 28%
Early Action Admissions
Number of 2019 (Class of 2023) applicants: 15,862
Admitted: 4,488
EA acceptance rate: 28.3%
Transfer Admissions
Number of 2018 transfer applicants: 1,447
Admitted: 488
Acceptance rate: 33.7%
Middle SAT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 650-720
SAT Math: 670-770
Average SAT
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 683
SAT Math: 709
Middle ACT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
ACT Composite: 31-34
ACT English: 31-35
ACT Math: 28-33
Average ACT
ACT Composite: 32
Standardized Test Requirements
SAT/ACT required
Writing portion not required
SAT Subject Tests are optional
Graduation Rates
Loan Defaults and Rhodes Scholars
Salary After Attending
R&D Expenditures
Campus Safety
Score Card Information
Graduation Rates
4 years: 88%
5 years: 91%
6 years: 92%
Transferred to another school: 6%
Loan default rate: 0.9%
Total Rhodes Scholars: 2
Salary after attending: $72,500
R&D Expenditures: $58.1 million
Campus Safety
Sex offenses: 33
Robberies: 0
Aggravated assaults: 1
Burglaries: 15
Car thefts: 1
Net Cost and Total Expected Cost of Attendance
Average Net Price By Income
Student Debt
Additional Information
Tuition, room and board (2018-2019): $69,078
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance (2018-2019): $73,357
Net Cost
Average: $27,299
By income
$0 to $30,000: $8,391
$30,001 to $48,000: $9,109
$48,001 to $75,000: $14,440
$75,001 to $110,000: $23,107
$110,001 and more: $47,691
Graduates with student debt: 49%
Average student debt at graduation: $20,849
Student Residence
Undergraduate Class Sizes
Student to Faculty Ratio
Student Population
Additional Information
Student to Faculty Ratio: 12 to 1
Women: 54%
Undergraduate Class Sizes
Under 20: 49%
20 to 39: 36%
40 to 99: 13%
100+: 2%
Student Population
Total: 14,513
Undergraduate: 9,377
Student Residence
In State: 23%
Out of State: 71%
International: 6%
