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Boston College vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Boston College is a private college in Chestnut Hill, MA. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private institute in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts Institute of Technology admits about 5% of applicants and Boston College about 16%, making Massachusetts Institute of Technology the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $20,111 a year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology after aid, and about $41,704 at Boston College. About 96% of students graduate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, compared with 91% at Boston College. Ten years after enrolling, Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni earn a median of about $143,372, against $103,937 for Boston College.

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Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA · Private

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Chestnut Hill, MA
Cambridge, MA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
10,085
4,535
Acceptance rate
16%
5%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.49–4
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1440–1540
1520–1580
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
34–36
Test policy
Test optional
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$41,704
$20,111
Full cost / yr
$89,493
$82,730
In-state tuition
$70,702
$62,396
Out-of-state tuition
$70,702
$62,396
Application fee
$80
$75
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$4,284
$0*
$30k - $48k
$7,304
$93
$48k - $75k
$13,112
$1,480
$75k - $110k
$19,999
$11,555
Over $110k
$60,308
$48,479
Outcomes
Graduation rate
91%
96%
Freshman retention
96%
99%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$85,717
$131,633
Median earnings (10 yr)
$103,937
$143,372
Median debt at graduation
$19,000
$14,768
Student body
Pell grant recipients
13%
19%
First-generation students
13%
26%
International students
6%
12%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 4
Jan 4

* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.

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.

Frequently asked questions
Is Boston College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology harder to get into?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into. It admits about 5% 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is cheaper on average. Students pay about $20,111 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Before aid, Massachusetts Institute of Technology costs about $82,730 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,533 there, against about $4,284 at Boston College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Boston College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Boston College is the larger of the two, with about 10,085 undergraduates against 4,535 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Does Boston College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology have a better graduation rate?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 91% at Boston College.
Do graduates of Boston College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni earn more on average: a median of about $143,372 ten years after enrolling, against about $103,937 for Boston College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Boston College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology require SAT or ACT scores?
Boston College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Massachusetts Institute of Technology requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do Boston College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1440–1540 at Boston College and 1520–1580 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school