Boston College's published cost of attendance is $89,493, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $4,284 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $13,112, and higher-income families pay approximately $60,308.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $89,493 |
| Tuition and Fees | $70,702 |
| Room and Board | $18,916 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,250 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$47,789 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $41,704 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $4,284 |
| $30–48k | $7,304 |
| $48–75k | $13,112 |
| $75–110k | $19,999 |
| $110k+ | $60,308 |
Boston College's published cost of attendance is $89,493, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $4,284 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $13,112, and higher-income families pay approximately $60,308. Azimuth ranks Boston College #1330 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. The gap between sticker price and what families actually pay can be substantial — see the net price illusion for context on how published costs compare with what students typically owe. Boston College participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, and families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The institution's aid structure is primarily need-based, and the spread between low-income and higher-income net prices reflects meaningful institutional grant support for qualifying families. Students and families weighing the full cost picture should account for how aid eligibility shifts across income bands when comparing Boston College with peer institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $45,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $96,145, median federal debt of $19,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $215 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Boston College earn median earnings of $96,145 four years after enrollment, placing Boston College in the 93.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs well above the $95,739 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $12,855 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Boston College in the 89.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Boston College #37 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Business is the dominant program family, representing 26% of degree output, with Social Sciences at 18% and Arts at 2%. Finance combines high enrollment with strong earnings, making it a key driver of Boston College's overall return profile. Azimuth ranks Economics #32 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions per the program-ranking methodology, with 354 graduates earning median earnings of $121,337. Azimuth ranks Finance #5 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 325 graduates earning median earnings of $147,746. Azimuth ranks Communication and Media Studies #15 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and Azimuth ranks Biology, General #12 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions — with 182 graduates earning median earnings of $83,614. Azimuth ranks Political Science #26 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 142 graduates earning median earnings of $86,537.
