Boston College vs Harvard University
Boston College is a private college in Chestnut Hill, MA. Harvard University is a private university in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants and Boston College about 16%, making Harvard University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $19,066 a year at Harvard University after aid, and about $41,704 at Boston College. About 97% of students graduate at Harvard University, compared with 91% at Boston College. Ten years after enrolling, Boston College alumni earn a median of about $103,937, against $101,817 for Harvard 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 Harvard University harder to get into?
- Harvard University is harder to get into. It admits about 4% 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 Harvard University?
- Harvard University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $19,066 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 Harvard University?
- Before aid, Harvard University costs about $85,540 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 Harvard University?
- Boston College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,284 there, against about $8,697 at Harvard University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Boston College or Harvard University?
- Boston College is the larger of the two, with about 10,085 undergraduates against 7,601 at Harvard University.
- Does Boston College or Harvard University have a better graduation rate?
- Harvard University has the higher graduation rate, at about 97% against 91% at Boston College.
- Do graduates of Boston College or Harvard University earn more?
- Boston College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $103,937 ten years after enrolling, against about $101,817 for Harvard University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Boston College and Harvard University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Boston College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Harvard University requires SAT or ACT scores.
- What SAT scores do Boston College and Harvard University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1440–1540 at Boston College and 1510–1580 at Harvard University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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