Head-to-head · 2026
Boston College vs Boston University
Compare average net price ($41,704 at Boston College; $24,402 at Boston University), ROI score (6.23 vs 8.53), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($103,937 vs $83,238), and admissions selectivity (16.4% acceptance at Boston College; 11.1% at Boston University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Boston College | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.23 | 8.53 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $41,704 | $24,402 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $166,816 | $97,608 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $70,702 | $68,102 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $70,702 | $68,102 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $103,937 ✓ | $83,238 |
| Acceptance rate | 16.4% | 11.1% |
| Graduation rate | 90.8% ✓ | 88.7% |
| Retention rate | 96% ✓ | 94.7% |
| Median debt | $19,000 ✓ | $23,250 |
| Enrollment | 10,085 | 18,248 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1507 | 1480 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Boston College | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,284 ✓ | $9,500 |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,304 ✓ | $9,342 |
| Family income $48–75k | $13,112 | $11,778 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $19,999 ✓ | $22,517 |
| Family income $110k+ | $60,308 | $47,504 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Boston College | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.1% | 9.8% |
| Economics | 8.8% | 3.8% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 7.4% | 1.8% |
| Social Work | 5% | 2.5% |
| Law | 5% | 1.9% |
| Computer Science | 2.4% | 3.5% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 2.1% | 3.6% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 3.7% | 1.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Boston University reports the lower average net price by $17,302 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $69,208 difference over four years ($97,608 vs $166,816).
Boston College reports $20,699 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($103,937 vs $83,238). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 96% at Boston College and 94.7% at Boston University. Median federal debt among completers is $19,000 vs $23,250, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Boston College vs Boston University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Boston University is cheaper — average net price $24,402 per year vs $41,704 at Boston College. The annual difference of $17,302 adds up to about $69,208 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Boston College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $103,937 vs $83,238 at Boston University. The gap in the federal data is $20,699. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Boston University is more selective at 11.1% acceptance vs 16.4% at Boston College.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.