BC vs. BU

Boston College and Boston University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Boston College
Boston University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BU (11.1% admitted vs 16.4%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: BU. Average net price is $24,420 vs $32,519 at BC.
  • Graduation: BC 91% vs BU 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BC $90,900 vs BU $72,000 (median).
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Key differences

Boston College Boston University
Acceptance rate
BU more selective
BC16.4%
BU11.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BC higher
BC1440-1540
BU1420-1530
Average net price
BU $8,099 less
BC$32,519
BU$24,420
In-state tuition
BU $2,600 less
BC$70,702
BU$68,102
Out-of-state tuition
BU $2,600 less
BC$70,702
BU$68,102
Graduation rate
BC +6 pts
BC91%
BU85%
Median earnings (10 years)
BC +$18,900
BC$90,900
BU$72,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BC 35,037
  • BU 78,769
  • Admitted
  • BC 5,755
  • BU 8,749
  • Acceptance rate
  • BC 16.4%
  • BU 11.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BC 43.5%
  • BU 37.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BC 1490
  • BU 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • BC 34
  • BU 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • BC 3.86
  • BU 3.79
  • Typical high school grades
  • BC A
  • BU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • BC Elite
  • BU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • BC Very High
  • BU Very High
  • SAT range
  • BC 1440-1540
  • BU 1420-1530
  • ACT range
  • BC 33-35
  • BU 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • BC Test optional
  • BU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BC Jan 1, 2027
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BC $70,702
  • BU $68,102
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BC $70,702
  • BU $68,102
  • Room & board
  • BC $18,916
  • BU $19,020
  • Average net price
  • BC $32,519
  • BU $24,420
  • Average grant aid
  • BC $56,971
  • BU $61,848
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BC 40%
  • BU 49%
  • Graduation rate
  • BC 91%
  • BU 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BC $90,900
  • BU $72,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • BC 90%
  • BU 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BC $19,000
  • BU $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • BC $196
  • BU $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BC 10:1
  • BU 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • BC
    • Business (24%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)

  • School basics

  • Location
  • BC Chestnut Hill, MA
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • BC Small City
  • BU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • BC 15,432
  • BU 37,737
  • Type
  • BC Private 4 Year
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BC #34
  • BU #73

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA with Boston University in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Boston University is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 15,432 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); Boston University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; Boston University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston College are 0.5% lower than at Boston University ($18,916 vs. $19,020).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at BC than at Boston University (about $2,600 more per year; $70,702 vs. $68,102).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Boston University than at Boston College (49% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 8.6% larger than aid received by Boston College students ($61,848 vs. $56,971).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at BC than at BU (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BC and BU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; BU Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BC average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at BU (3.79).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 37.4% at BU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($196 vs. $279).
  • More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 82%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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