Boston College combines highly selective admissions with among the highest graduate earnings we track. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university delivers exceptional return on investment at the 97.2nd percentile while serving a more privileged student population, creating strong outcomes for those who can access and afford the education.
Among the highest earnings we track relative to educational investment
High net prices that create barriers for many families
Well above average enrollment of diverse students despite selective admissions
Showing strong outcomes for economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisTop 5% nationally for graduate earnings
Boston College delivers among the highest absolute earnings we track while maintaining debt levels well above average compared to peers. Graduates earn a median of $103,937 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 99th percentile nationally.
Earnings span from $68,220 at the 25th percentile to $161,815 at the 75th percentile, reflecting strong outcomes across various career paths. Low-income graduates earn $94,900, ranking at the top 5% nationally, indicating exceptional outcomes for the limited number of lower-income students who enroll.
Students seeking top-tier business and finance careers who can handle highly selective admissions. Well-suited for those prioritizing earnings outcomes and prestigious alumni networks, though low-income students should consider the limited financial aid and lower Pell enrollment (12.7%).
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Boston College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/boston-college/analysis.
Boston College ranks #173 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with strong performance at the 89.4th percentile. Located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains highly selective admission standards with a 15.7% acceptance rate while delivering among the highest earnings outcomes we track.
Boston College enrolls 12.7% Pell-eligible students and 13.2% first-generation students, reflecting limited access for lower-income students relative to similar institutions. Graduates earn a median of $103,937 ten years after enrollment, placing Boston College at the 99th percentile for long-term earnings.
However, earnings performance falls around the national average when adjusted for student demographics, with graduates earning $2,831 less than expected based on their backgrounds. This combination of highly selective admissions, limited low-income access, and strong absolute earnings places Boston College within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions serve fewer low-income students while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
Boston College admits approximately 15.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 6 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Boston College in the Highly Selective tier, where admission rates fall between 10% and 25%.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the stark difference between Boston College's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among private nonprofit universities, Boston College's acceptance rate falls well below average, making it significantly more competitive than most institutions.
This level of selectivity means that even academically exceptional students—those with outstanding test scores and strong academic records—face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process. Many students who would excel at Boston College do not receive admission simply due to the volume of highly qualified applicants competing for limited spots.
Students considering Boston College should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes. Treating Boston College as a reach school regardless of qualifications represents sound application strategy, given that admission depends on factors beyond academic metrics alone.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Boston College's published cost of attendance reaches $83,683 per year, including $67,680 in tuition, $18,475 for room and board, and $1,250 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $39,866 after financial aid, representing savings of $43,817 from the sticker price.
This net price exceeds the peer median of $27,143 by $12,723, positioning Boston College among the more expensive options even after aid. The substantial gap between published and actual costs reflects significant financial aid distribution, though aid concentrates heavily toward lower-income students.
Families across all income levels face higher costs compared to similar institutions, with even the lowest-income students paying $5,851 annually. The high net price relative to peers indicates that Boston College requires substantial family financial resources or increased borrowing for most students.
Despite strong earnings outcomes, the affordability challenge affects families across income levels, requiring careful financial planning and aid strategy. Students should use financial aid calculators early in the application process to understand their likely costs before making enrollment decisions.
Boston College graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over time, with median earnings rising from $85,717 six years after enrollment to $89,620 at eight years and $103,937 at ten years, representing 21.3% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 924 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures.
Graduates earn $2,831 less than expected compared to similar students nationally, placing Boston College around the national average at the 43.5th percentile for earnings beyond expectations. This suggests that while absolute earnings are exceptional, the premium reflects student backgrounds rather than institutional uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $94,900, ranking in the top 5% nationally, indicating strong outcomes for the limited number of lower-income students who gain access. The earnings distribution shows significant variation, with the 75th percentile earning 2.4 times more than the 25th percentile.
Approximately 24.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting strong preparation for both advanced education and immediate workforce entry.
Computer Science.
94 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
344 graduates
Information Science/Studies.
85 graduates
Algebra and Number Theory.
86 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
118 graduates
Boston College offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #7 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts, producing 344 graduates with median earnings of $110,242 and an exceptional value score of 97.1.
Digital Marketing ranks #3 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts, graduating 127 students with median earnings of $89,379 and a value score of 99.1. Applied Economics ranks #43 nationally and #8 in Massachusetts, graduating 316 students with median earnings of $93,934.
Computer Science ranks #30 nationally and #5 in Massachusetts, with 94 graduates earning $131,399. Applied Behavior Analysis ranks #4 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts, graduating 142 students with median earnings of $58,439.
Information Science ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts, representing one of the university's strongest program offerings with exceptional national recognition.
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Higher acceptance rate (42.9 percentage points higher) and located 33 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 59% | $103,470 | Compare |
Bryant University Higher acceptance rate (50 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 34 miles away; similar graduate earnings | RI | 66% | $90,008 | Compare |
Trinity College Higher acceptance rate (17.9 percentage points higher) and located 88 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CT | 34% | $90,779 | Compare |
Lehigh University Higher acceptance rate (13.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | PA | 29% | $105,584 | Compare |
Santa Clara University Higher acceptance rate (28.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | CA | 44% | $109,183 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Georgetown University Similar quality tier (#163 ranked) | DC | 13% | $103,494 | #163 | Compare |
Drexel University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#182 ranked) | PA | 78% | $84,648 | #182 | Compare |
Boston University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#191 ranked) | MA | 11% | $83,238 | #191 | Compare |
New York University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#160 ranked) | NY | 9% | $82,509 | #160 | Compare |
Bentley University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#156 ranked) | MA | 48% | $120,959 | #156 | Compare |
