Boston College
A Jesuit research university on Chestnut Hill, built around a liberal arts Core and admitting about 13%.
- Acceptance rate
- 13%
- Class of 2030 (entered fall 2026) for applicants, admits and acceptance rate (BC First-Year Admission Profile); test ranges from the Common Data Set 2024-25 (fall 2024 entrants), the latest CDS BC has published; applying now for fall 2027
- Students
- 14,726
- 9,654 undergraduates
- International
- 7%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 10:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $76,424
- 2026-27
About BC
Boston College was founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus to serve Boston's immigrant community and moved from the South End to Chestnut Hill in 1907, where Gasson Hall and its collegiate Gothic neighbours now form a historic district 6 miles west of downtown Boston. It is a private Jesuit, Catholic R1 research university with 14,726 students in fall 2024, 9,654 of them undergraduates.
Undergraduates apply to one of four divisions: the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences (which includes Human-Centered Engineering), the Carroll School of Management, the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, or the Connell School of Nursing. Everyone takes the Core Curriculum in the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences, starting with a first-year Cornerstone Seminar whose instructor is also your advisor. BC also has schools of law, social work, and theology and ministry, plus Messina College on the Brookline campus, which opened in 2024 for first-generation students.
Admission is highly selective: 5,636 of 41,923 applicants were admitted to the Class of 2030 (13.4%). BC is need-blind for US applicants and meets full demonstrated need. It suits students who want a traditional residential campus with ACC sports, a strong liberal arts core and easy access to Boston.
Αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν
“Ever to Excel” — university motto
Why students choose BC
BC is need-blind for admission and commits to meeting full demonstrated need, with a need-based aid budget of more than $197.7 million for 2026-27 and an average package of $65,000.
The Core Curriculum, Cornerstone Seminars and senior Capstone courses give every undergraduate a shared liberal arts foundation, even in business, nursing or engineering.
US News ranks BC No. 6 nationally for undergraduate teaching (2027 edition).
BC reports that 97% of the Class of 2025 were employed, in graduate school, or in a fellowship or service programme.
Admissions
Class of 2030 (entered fall 2026) for applicants, admits and acceptance rate (BC First-Year Admission Profile); test ranges from the Common Data Set 2024-25 (fall 2024 entrants), the latest CDS BC has published; applying now for fall 2027
About 1 in 7 applicants is admitted
5,636 admitted from 41,923 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
For the Class of 2030, BC received 41,923 applications, admitted 5,636 (13.4%) and enrolled 2,400 students from 48 states and 60 countries, including 209 international students and 102 QuestBridge students. Applicants are considered only for the undergraduate division they apply to. Note the mixed sources: the admit figures are for the Class of 2030, while the SAT/ACT ranges, enrollment, retention and graduation figures come from the 2024-25 Common Data Set (no 2025-26 CDS was published as of September 2026).
Typical entry requirements
| Recommended high school program | Most challenging courses available, ideally four years each of English, mathematics, social science, natural science and foreign language (20 units recommended) |
|---|---|
| Academic division | Apply to one of Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Carroll School of Management, Lynch School of Education and Human Development, or Connell School of Nursing; Nursing and Human-Centered Engineering applicants declare the major |
| English language | IELTS 7.5 · TOEFL iBT 100 Recommended minimums: TOEFL iBT 100 (5.0 on the new scale; admits average about 5.5), IELTS 7.5, Duolingo 130. Waived for native English speakers, students with three or more years at a US or majority English-speaking high school, or SAT EBRW 650+ / ACT English 29+. BC does not superscore English tests. |
Deadlines
- Early Decision I Binding Next deadline · In 25 daysNovember 1, 2026
Decisions by December 15. Also the SlideRoom arts deadline for ED I and QuestBridge National College Match candidates.
- Early Decision II Binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 4, 2027
Decisions by February 15.
- Regular Decision Non-binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 4, 2027
Decisions by April 1. Most applicants apply RD. Financial aid priority date February 1.
BC's application page for the 2026-27 cycle lists November 1 (ED I), January 4 (ED II and RD); years are applied for the fall 2027 intake. BC offers no Early Action. A spring first-year option (deadline November 1) is not open to Nursing or Human-Centered Engineering applicants.
How to apply
Common Application with the Boston College Writing Supplement (one 400-word essay from four prompts; a separate prompt for Human-Centered Engineering), school report and counselor recommendation, two teacher evaluations, official transcript, mid-year report for RD and deferred ED applicants, optional SAT/ACT, and an $85 fee (waivers for US citizens and permanent residents). Arts portfolios are optional via SlideRoom.
What admissions looks for
- Rigor of the secondary school record and academic GPA, both rated very important.
- Test scores, the application essay and recommendations, which the Common Data Set rates important; BC reads scores in the context of home, school and community.
- Character and personal qualities, talent, extracurricular activities and volunteer work, all rated important.
- How you express yourself in writing: the BC supplement asks about traditions, meaningful conversations, single stories and Jesuit values.
Tips for applying to BC
- 1 Pick your academic division carefully: you are only considered for the division you choose, so Carroll or Connell applicants should show fit for business or nursing.
- 2 Use Early Decision II if BC becomes your first choice after November; it is binding but shares the January 4 deadline with RD.
- 3 Choose the supplement prompt that lets you talk about community, conversation or values; BC's prompts reflect its Jesuit mission.
- 4 If you have strong SAT or ACT scores, send or self-report them: 75% of recent admits did.
- 5 International applicants should plan for full cost: BC's institutional aid for nonresidents is non-need-based and went to only 20 students in 2024-25.
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for Boston College
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
BC practices need-blind admission for US citizens and permanent residents and meets full demonstrated need, using the FAFSA and CSS Profile; the 2026-27 need-based aid budget exceeds $197.7 million, with an average package of $65,000, and BC is a QuestBridge partner. International students are not eligible for need-based aid; BC's institutional aid to nonresidents is non-need-based and very limited.
- $95,258 (plus $720 one-time first-year fees)
- Direct billed costs 2026-27 (tuition, fees, housing, meal plan)
- $65,000
- Average need-based financial aid package (2026-27)
- 100%
- Share of need met for aid recipients (2024-25)
- $103,937
- Median earnings 10 years after entry (College Scorecard)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Carroll School of Management
BC's undergraduate business school, one of four divisions students apply to directly.
Human-Centered Engineering
A newer engineering major in the Morrissey College with its own supplement prompt and first-year Core courses such as Making the Modern World: Design, Ethics, and Engineering.
Connell School of Nursing
Direct-entry nursing from the first year; applicants must declare the major when they apply.
Lynch School of Education and Human Development
One of BC's four undergraduate divisions, preparing teachers and students of human development within the Jesuit service mission.
Core Curriculum
A required liberal arts foundation in the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences, including interdisciplinary Complex Problem courses for first-years.
Research
- Classified R1 (very high research spending and doctorate production) by the Carnegie Classification.
- BC's Church in the 21st Century Center and Center for Christian-Jewish Learning publish on contemporary Catholic and interfaith questions.
- Libraries include the O'Neill Library, the Burns Library of rare books and special collections, and the O'Connor Library at Weston Observatory.
Schools & faculties
- Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
- Carroll School of Management
- Lynch School of Education and Human Development
- Connell School of Nursing
- Boston College School of Social Work
- Boston College Law School
- Clough School of Theology and Ministry
- Woods College of Advancing Studies
- Messina College
97% of the Class of 2025 were employed, in graduate school, or in a fellowship or meaningful volunteer experience (BC). College Scorecard median earnings 10 years after entry: $103,937.
Student life
Nearly 80% of BC undergraduates live on campus in 35 residence halls, and all first-years live either on Upper Campus in Chestnut Hill or on Newton Campus, which has its own dining hall and library and is a short shuttle ride away. Eight living and learning communities, 15 dining halls and cafes, and more than 300 student organizations fill out campus life. Retreats open to students of all faiths are a core part of the Jesuit experience, and the Eagles compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference, with men's ice hockey in Hockey East.
- Boston College Eagles compete in NCAA Division I in the Atlantic Coast Conference; men's ice hockey has won five national championships.
- More than 300 student organizations.
- Eight living and learning communities and 35 residence halls.
- The MBTA Green Line B branch ends at BC's St. Ignatius Gate, linking campus to downtown Boston.
Housing. All first-year students live on Upper Campus or Newton Campus, and nearly 80% of undergraduates live on campus.
Location
BC's hilltop main campus in Chestnut Hill overlooks the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, 6 miles west of downtown Boston. The Green Line B branch starts at the campus gate, so Boston's museums, sports teams and health care, tech and biotech employers are a train ride away. Living costs are high: BC's on-campus housing and meal plan alone come to $18,834 a year.
Nearest airport: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Notable alumni
- TO Tip O'NeillSpeaker of the US House of Representatives; graduated 1936
- JK John KerryUS Secretary of State and Senator; JD from Boston College Law School
- AP Amy PoehlerActress and comedian; bachelor's in media and communications, 1993
- CO Chris O'DonnellActor; BS in marketing, 1992
- PL Peter LynchInvestor who managed Fidelity's Magellan Fund; graduated 1965
- DF Doug Flutie1984 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback for the Eagles
- MR Matt RyanNFL quarterback and Atlanta Falcons president of football; played for the Eagles
Frequently asked questions
What is Boston College's acceptance rate?
BC admitted 5,636 of 41,923 applicants to the Class of 2030, an acceptance rate of 13.4%.
Is Boston College test-optional for 2027?
Yes. BC is test-optional but encourages students who have taken the SAT or ACT to submit, and 75% of admitted students did in the 2024-25 cycle. Enrolled first-years in fall 2024 had a middle-50% SAT of 1460-1520 and ACT of 33-35 (Common Data Set 2024-25).
Does Boston College have Early Action?
No. BC offers binding Early Decision I (November 1) and Early Decision II (January 4), and non-binding Regular Decision (January 4).
Is Boston College need-blind?
Yes for US applicants: admission decisions do not consider financial need, and BC meets full demonstrated need. International students are not eligible for need-based aid.
How much does Boston College cost per year?
For 2026-27, tuition is $75,070 and mandatory fees $1,354; with on-campus housing and the standard meal plan, billed costs come to about $95,258 before books and personal expenses.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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