Boston College Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 05/2023)

Total Cost of Attendance

Boston College was the first university in Boston, and is well-respected for its liberal arts programs, among other things. Boston College tuition for the 2022-23 school year was $64,176. This is higher than the average for four-year private nonprofit institutions in the U.S. of $39,400 per year.

Costs for 2022-23

Financial Aid

Just over half of the students use some form of financial aid to help with Boston College tuition, whether by taking out grants or student loans, or receiving scholarships. Boston College is need-blind, which means your ability to pay for college will not impact your application.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

There are two types of student loans: federal and private. At Boston College, 33% of students take out federal student loans.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

To attend Boston College for four years, including tuition and fees, books, and room and board, the cost would be between $334,984. According to CollegeData.com, it costs about $230,280 on average for four years at a private four-year institution.

Here’s some Massachusetts Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

Boston College tuition and fees, plus room and board, was $80,296 in 2022-23.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

Graduate students at Boston College paid, on average, $34,028 in 2022-23, including fees. This is higher than the average cost for tuition for graduate school at a private institution in the United States, which is $23,130. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

For students who prefer to attend part-time, Boston College tuition per credit starts at $602, depending on the semester and the program.

Campus Housing Expenses

Costs for 2022-23

*Starting studio rate based on available apartments on Boston College’s off-campus housing website in 2023

First-year students at Boston College are required to live on-campus in traditional housing. As sophomores, students can live in traditional rooms or apartment-style housing and choose their roommates. Juniors may live in an off-campus apartment, and seniors have their choice of housing across many options.

Boston College Acceptance Rate

Fall 2022

The BC acceptance rate of 16.7% means that the school can be challenging to get into. Read on to find out what’s required.

Admission Requirements

Here’s what’s required to apply at Boston College.

Required:

•  Writing supplement

•  High school transcript

•  The School Report and Counselor Recommendation Form

•  Teacher evaluations

•  Midyear grade report

Recommended:

•  SAT or ACT scores

The deadline for Early Decision I is November 1, with a decision given by December 15. The deadline for Early Decision II is January 3, with a decision by February 15. The deadline for Regular Decision is also January 3, and applicants will be given a decision by April 1. You can apply to Boston College here .

SAT and ACT Scores

Submitting ACT or SAT test scores isn’t required for applicants for the 2023-24 application cycle. However, since they are recommended, here are the test scores at the 25th and 75th percentile for Fall 2021.

Popular Majors at Boston College

Boston College offers more than 100 majors, concentrations, and minors. These are the most popular areas of study.

1. Finance

Finance students at the Carroll School of Management will get a solid foundation in finance, as well as learn about accounting, corporate finance, investments, cryptocurrency, financial policy, and more. Students also have the opportunity to study abroad.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 302

2. Economics

Economics students learn about economic growth, unemployment, and inflation, different market structures, and macroeconomic models they can use to analyze the national economy. They also develop solid oral and written communication skills.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 268

3. Communication

A communication degree prepares students for careers in law, business, communication, and more. Courses include public speaking, rhetorical tradition, media violence, media ethics, and nonverbal communication.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 169

4. Biology

Biology students get a solid foundation in physics, chemistry, and mathematics, and can choose from a concentration including bioinformatics, cell biology and development, general biology, genetics, microbiology, or physiology and organismal biology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 168

5. Political Science

Students in this program can choose a subfield of political science, including: American politics, comparative politics, international politics, or political theory before going on to successful careers in politics, public administration, international service, law, business, or journalism.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 132

6. Psychology

The psychology major teaches students to examine human behavior by looking at history, social sciences, cognitive psychology, and civil society influences. Coursework includes theology, quantitative reasoning, and cultural diversity.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 124

7. Nursing

Nursing students at Boston College get hands-on experience in hospitals, clinics, and community agencies. They also have the opportunity to study abroad to get more experience in an international setting.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 105

8. Computer Science

Students in this department are well-prepared for careers in computing, data mining, programming, and more. Coursework includes subjects like robotics, programming, computer security, scientific computation, and database systems.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 94

9. International Studies

For students who have an interest in travel and business, the international studies program provides a connection between the two. Students will take courses in ethics, micro- and macroeconomic theory, political economy, conflict and cooperation, and global cultures. Students may elect to study abroad.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 81

10. Marketing

Marketing students dive into sales, retail, product management, advertising, and market research, all of which prepare them for a variety of careers in marketing and business.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 77

Graduation Rate

Here is the graduation rate for students who started their studies at Boston College in 2015:

•  6 years: 91%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

After graduating, Boston College students earned an average salary of $96,325, which is much higher than the national average for graduates of $55,260.