Acceptance Rate
16%
Avg. SAT
1540
75th percentile
“You'll tackle Jesuit-fueled challenges on a hilltop campus minutes from Boston's heartbeat, emerging as a service-driven leader amid fierce competition.”
Chestnut Hill, MA
Location
Small City
Campus Setting
Boston College sprang to life in 1863 when Jesuits planted a Catholic beacon in Boston's rough South End, defying anti-Irish riots and nativist fury to educate immigrants' sons. Fast-forward to 1913, they hauled the whole operation up to leafy Chestnut Hill's 'Heights,' a 338-acre perch overlooking the city that now draws 10,000 undergrads hungry for intellectual grit laced with faith. You'll thrive here if you're ambitious, socially savvy, and drawn to 'men and women for others' ethos—think preppy Type-A's who volunteer abroad while eyeing Wall Street, blending rah-rah school spirit with quiet reflection. But if you crave chill vibes or pure artsy rebellion, BC's polished, high-achieving pulse and sky-high tuition (over $60K) might feel stifling, especially with Boston's winters biting hard.
Photo Gallery
+13
+5
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
Test-optional schools still weigh strong scores. Submitting can help.
Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In BC's classrooms, professors ignite debates on everything from Carroll School of Management's finance simulations—where undergrads outpace MBAs at many peers—to Connell School of Nursing's hands-on sim labs that mimic ER chaos. With a 13:1 ratio tighter than Harvard's, you'll snag office hours easily and dive into undergrad research, like mapping climate impacts in Earth & Environmental Sciences or dissecting Jesuit texts in theology seminars. The intellectual air hums with cura personalis—personalized care—but expect pre-professional tracks (business, nursing, education) to dominate over quirky majors, and core curriculum mandates that test your patience if you're allergic to philosophy.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
10,314 undergrad • 5,118 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
56%
Black / African American
5%
Hispanic / Latino
10%
Asian
9%
Other / Multi-racial
19%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Chestnut Hill, MA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Picture your week: Monday Mass or yoga in Stokes Hall, Tuesday club fair amid 250+ groups (from Eagle EMS to Irish Dance), Friday tailgates swelling into weekend parties fueled by BC's no-frats policy that funnels energy into apartment bashes near Brighton bars. Dorm life kicks off freshman year in tight-knit mod-style halls, evolving to upperclass suites where you'll host Eagles watch parties—football's religion here, with ND rivalry sparking campus fever. Traditions like the Senior Send-Off barbecue bind you, but the vibe skews competitive and clubby; introverts or partiers dodging judgment might struggle, and shoveling snow from the T platform to class tests your mettle come January.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Atlantic Coast Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
Yes
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$12,320
$30K – $48K
$14,368
$48K – $75K
$12,780
$75K – $110K
$22,303
$110K+
$52,580
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
96%
4 Years Graduation Rate
90%
6 Years Graduation Rate
92%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$103,937
96% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Boston College and return in the fall. 90% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 92% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
90%
4-6 years
2%
Non-grad
8%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$62,950
Acceptance
16%
Undergrads
10,314
4-Year Grad Rate
90%
Endowment
$2.4B
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467