Can you get into Boston College?

Chestnut Hill, MA · Private · 10,085 students Here is the class that got in, and where your numbers land inside it.

Add your GPA, or a test score, and the read appears here. Nothing you type leaves this page.

The admitted class · 2024

What it took to get in

Acceptance rate

16.4%

SAT middle 50%

1440–1540

median 1475

ACT middle 50%

33–35

median 34

Testing

optional

34% submitted an SAT

Graduation rate

91%

within six years

Reported by the college

What Boston College actually reads

Colleges publish which parts of an application they weigh. It is the most useful thing they say about admissions and almost nobody reads it, because knowing that an essay is very important here and class rank is not considered changes where the work should go.

  • Very important

    The parts of an application this school weighs most heavily.

    • Grades
    • Course rigor
    • Essay
    • Recommendations
  • Considered

    Looked at, but not decisive on its own.

    • Class rank
    • Test scores
    • Legacy
    • Work experience

From the federal IPEDS admissions survey, 2024. It records whether Boston College considers each factor, but not how heavily, and it does not ask about extracurriculars, character, or demonstrated interest. Where a school publishes its Common Data Set we use that instead.

Real cost · 2024 data

What families actually pay

The sticker price is $89,493, but almost nobody pays it. Average net price at Boston College by family income, after grants and scholarships:

  • Under $30k$4,284
  • $30k–$48k$7,304
  • $48k–$75k$13,112
  • $75k–$110k$19,999
  • Over $110k$60,308

U.S. Department of Education data: average net price per year for aided first-time students. Your number depends on your family’s finances.

Common questions

Boston College admissions, answered

What is Boston College's acceptance rate?

Boston College admits 16.4% of applicants (latest reported cycle: 2024).

What SAT score do you need for Boston College?

The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1440 and 1540. A score above 1540 clears the 75th percentile; below 1440, the rest of the application has to carry more weight.

Is Boston College test-optional?

Yes, Boston College is currently test-optional. Submit a score if it falls inside or above the admitted middle 50%.

What does Boston College look for in an application?

Boston College reports that it weighs grades, course rigor, essay, recommendations most heavily. Anything it lists as not considered is worth knowing too, because effort spent there does not count here.

How much does Boston College actually cost?

Sticker price is $89,493, but the average family pays $41,704 after aid. Families earning under $30k pay about $4,284 per year on average.

What Spike does with this

Use the Boston College read in your plan.

Spike helps connect your numbers with courses, testing, essays, activities, and the rest of your college list.