Boston College: Rankings, Admissions, Cost & How It Compares to BU (2025-2026)

Boston College was founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), making it the first institution of higher education to operate in the city of Boston. Despite the name, BC is a university with 9 schools and colleges and roughly 15,474 total students.

Key facts (2025-2026):

BC's main campus sits atop a hill in Chestnut Hill overlooking the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. The Collegiate Gothic architecture -- designed by Maginnis & Walsh in the early 20th century -- is among the earliest examples in North America. Gasson Hall with its iconic 200-foot bell tower is the visual symbol of BC.

Boston College has become significantly more selective in recent years. Here are the numbers for the Class of 2029:

Important context: BC reports two different acceptance rate figures. The ~12.6% represents initial admits before the waitlist; the 14% on BC's official facts page likely includes waitlist admits. ED I applications were up 14% over the prior year (~3,200 applicants), and the ~31% ED acceptance rate makes applying early a real strategic advantage.

Compared to BU: BU's acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 was ~11% with an average SAT of 1510. Both schools are in a similar selectivity tier, though BU received more total applications (~81,000+) due to its larger class size.

BC's sticker price for 2025-2026:

Financial aid facts:

• BC increased its need-based aid budget to $190 million (up 7.5% / $13 million)
• 67% of undergrads receive financial aid
• Average need-based aid packages projected to exceed $60,000
• BC meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all domestic students
• Average net price: ~$32,590-$35,303 (varies by family income)
• No merit scholarships -- all BC aid is need-based

BC has 9 schools and colleges:

1. Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences -- the largest undergraduate division
2. Carroll School of Management -- one of the top undergraduate business programs nationally (named after benefactor Wallace E. Carroll)
3. Connell School of Nursing -- direct-entry BSN program, highly ranked
4. Lynch School of Education and Human Development -- consistently top 20 nationally
5. Boston College Law School
6. Graduate School of Social Work
7. Woods College of Advancing Studies -- evening/continuing education
8. Clough School of Theology and Ministry -- graduate theological studies
9. Graduate School (Morrissey Graduate Programs)

1. Finance (1,296)
2. Economics (1,278)
3. Biology (816)
4. Political Science (691)
5. Psychology (615)
6. Communication (567)
7. Computer Science (556)
8. Nursing (429)
9. Neuroscience (417)
10. Applied Psychology & Human Development (380)

Every BC undergraduate, regardless of major, must complete:

• 2 Theology courses (6 credits): 1 Christian Theology + 1 Sacred Texts & Traditions
• 2 Philosophy courses (6 credits): sequential courses in ethics and reasoning
• Additional cores in writing, literature, natural science, social science, history, arts, cultural diversity, and math

There's an interdisciplinary option -- "Perspectives on Western Culture I & II" -- that satisfies both the philosophy AND theology requirements (12 credits total).

The PULSE Program is BC's signature service-learning course combining theology and philosophy with community service in Boston. It's been running for 55+ years, and students have donated 3.2 million hours of community service through the program.

How this differs from BU: BU has no religious requirements whatsoever. BU's Hub curriculum is skill-based (writing, oral communication, quantitative reasoning, etc.) rather than discipline-based. If you're not religious and don't want to study theology, this is a meaningful difference.

About 60% of BC students identify as Catholic or raised Catholic. But what does the Jesuit identity actually look like on campus?

It matters for:

• Academics: You're taking theology and philosophy whether you want to or not (see Core Curriculum above)
• Campus culture: Daily Mass is celebrated on campus. The annual Mass of the Holy Spirit opens each academic year. Service is deeply embedded -- ~85% of students volunteer during their 4 years (even though service is NOT required for graduation)
• Intellectual tradition: The Jesuit emphasis on "cura personalis" (care of the whole person) shapes advising, residential life, and the overall academic philosophy

• You have to be Catholic to attend. Students of all faiths (and no faith) are welcome
• Campus is socially conservative. BC is a modern university with diverse student perspectives
• You'll be pressured to attend Mass or participate in religious activities

BU comparison: BU is explicitly nonsectarian -- no religious affiliation, no religious course requirements, no institutional faith tradition. BU's diversity is more visible in terms of religious, cultural, and international representation (students from 130+ countries).

BC has three campuses totaling 338-405 acres:

1. Chestnut Hill (Main Campus): ~175-240 acres of Collegiate Gothic buildings atop a hill overlooking the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. This is the iconic BC experience -- enclosed, traditional, picturesque.
2. Newton Campus: ~40 acres, 1.5 miles from main campus. Home to BC Law School, athletic fields, and some freshman housing. Acquired in 1974 when BC merged with Newton College of the Sacred Heart.
3. Brighton Campus: ~65 acres, across Commonwealth Avenue. Home to the School of Theology and Ministry, McMullen Museum of Art, and athletic fields. Acquired from the Archdiocese of Boston in 2004.

• Gasson Hall: Iconic 200-foot bell tower, the visual symbol of BC
• Bapst Library: Gothic library, one of the most photographed buildings on campus
• Chestnut Hill Reservoir: Adjacent to campus, popular for walks and runs

The campus experience difference: BC feels like a traditional New England college campus -- hilltop, enclosed, Gothic buildings, green quads. BU feels like a city -- 2 miles along Commonwealth Avenue, integrated into Boston, no gates or boundaries. Students who want a "campus bubble" tend to prefer BC. Students who want an urban experience tend to prefer BU.

BC competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) -- joined July 1, 2005.

Hockey (the crown jewel):

• 5 NCAA National Championships (1949, 2001, 2008, 2010, 2012)
• 12 Hockey East Tournament titles
• Nearly won a 6th title in 2024 (lost to Denver in the NCAA Championship Final)
• BC competes in Hockey East for hockey, not the ACC

Other championship programs: Women's Lacrosse (NCAA champions 2021 and 2024), sailing

The Green Line Rivalry (BC vs. BU):

This is one of college hockey's greatest rivalries. Named for the MBTA Green Line B Branch that connects both campuses (BC is the terminus; BU is in the middle). The series dates to 1918 and they've played approximately 300 times. The annual Beanpot Tournament at TD Garden (BC, BU, Harvard, Northeastern) is the showcase. In 70+ years of the Beanpot, BC and BU have faced off in the championship 22 times.

Notably, BU dropped football in 1997 and BC joined the ACC in 2005, so the football rivalry no longer exists. But in hockey? It's as intense as ever. In the 2026 Beanpot championship (February 9), BC beat BU 6-2 to claim their first Beanpot title in 10 years.

BU students' honest take: We respect BC's hockey program. They have 5 national championships -- the same number as us. But we don't have to like them.

BC has produced some notable graduates:

Politicians:

• Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill (Class of 1936): Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (1977-1987)
• John Kerry (J.D. 1976): U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. Senator, 2004 presidential nominee

• Doug Flutie (Class of 1985): His 1984 Hail Mary pass against Miami is one of the most iconic plays in football history. Heisman Trophy winner.
• Matt Ryan: 2016 NFL MVP, #3 overall pick, longtime Atlanta Falcons quarterback
• Pete Frates: Former BC baseball captain who inspired the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge (raised $115+ million worldwide)

• Amy Poehler (Class of 1993): SNL, Parks and Recreation, media and communications major at BC
• Chris O'Donnell (Carroll School, 1992): Actor (NCIS: Los Angeles, Batman films)

• Peter Lynch: Legendary investor who managed the Fidelity Magellan Fund (one of the best-performing mutual funds in history). Lynch Hall at Carroll School is named in his honor.

Here's the side-by-side that actually matters:

Why BC ranks higher in US News but lower globally: US News heavily weights undergraduate teaching, graduation rates, and alumni giving -- where BC's small size and wealthy alumni base give it an edge. QS and Times Higher Education weight research output heavily, where BU's $579.5M research enterprise (R1 university) puts it far ahead. BC's global rankings (#526 QS) reflect its focus as a teaching institution rather than a research powerhouse.

The cultural difference everyone talks about: BC students tend toward the "preppy New England Catholic" archetype. BU students identify with the "urban, diverse, cosmopolitan" vibe. BC has a traditional enclosed campus with quads and dining halls. BU is embedded in the city with no gates. BC has a strong Greek-adjacent social scene (though it technically has no Greek life). BU has a more fragmented social scene across neighborhoods and clubs.

The honest take for choosing between them: If you want a smaller, more traditional campus with a strong sense of community and you're comfortable with (or excited about) the Jesuit mission, BC is excellent. If you want a larger, more diverse university embedded in a major city with stronger research opportunities and no religious requirements, BU is the better fit. Both are outstanding schools. The rivalry is fun, but the decision should be about fit, not prestige.

'I chose BU over BC because I didn't want theology requirements. Nothing against BC -- it's a great school -- but I'm not religious and didn't want to spend 12 credits on it.' - Sophomore, CAS

'My roommate transferred from BC to BU after freshman year. She said BC felt too small and too similar -- everyone was from the same background. She wanted more diversity and a more urban experience.' - Junior, COM

'I have friends at BC and their campus is genuinely beautiful. Gasson Hall is stunning. But I like being able to walk out of class and be in the city. Different vibes, both good.' - Senior, ENG

'The BC-BU hockey rivalry is the best thing about both schools. The Beanpot atmosphere at TD Garden is unlike anything else in college sports. Even if you don't care about hockey when you arrive, you will by February.' - Junior, Questrom

'BC's business school (Carroll) is excellent, but so is Questrom. The main difference is that BC doesn't offer merit scholarships -- it's all need-based. BU gave me a merit scholarship that made the decision easy.' - Sophomore, Questrom