Boston College vs Boston University
Boston College is a private college in Chestnut Hill, MA, and Boston University is a private university in Boston, MA. Boston University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 11% of applicants against 16% at Boston College. Boston University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $24,402 a year against $41,704 at Boston College. About 91% of students graduate at Boston College, compared with 89% at Boston University. Ten years after enrolling, Boston College alumni earn a median of about $103,937, against $83,238 for Boston University.
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Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Boston College or Boston University harder to get into?
- Boston University is harder to get into. It admits about 11% of applicants, compared with 16% at Boston College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Boston College or Boston University?
- Boston University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $24,402 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $41,704 at Boston College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Boston College and Boston University?
- Before aid, Boston University costs about $86,285 a year and Boston College about $89,493. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Boston College or Boston University?
- Boston College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,284 there, against about $9,500 at Boston University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Boston College or Boston University?
- Boston University is the larger of the two, with about 18,248 undergraduates against 10,085 at Boston College.
- Does Boston College or Boston University have a better graduation rate?
- Boston College has the higher graduation rate, at about 91% against 89% at Boston University.
- Do graduates of Boston College or Boston University earn more?
- Boston College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $103,937 ten years after enrolling, against about $83,238 for Boston University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Boston College and Boston University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Boston College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Boston University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Boston College and Boston University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1440–1540 at Boston College and 1420–1530 at Boston University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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