Head-to-Head Comparison
Babson College vs Boston College
- Babson Wins
- 23
- Tied
- 15
- Boston Wins
- 16
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Babson College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $40,514 vs Boston College's $41,704, Babson College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Babson College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $123,938 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Babson
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, 19% more than Boston College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $40,514, roughly $1,190 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Boston
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,000, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Babson graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (100% of degrees); Boston in Business & Marketing (23%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Babson College over Boston College. Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment vs $103,937.
Pick Babson College over Boston College. Net price $40,514 vs $41,704.
Pick Babson College over Boston College. 2.8% mobility rate vs 1.6%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Babson College and Boston College are close on paper, but Babson College wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Boston College is the harder admit. It takes 16% of applicants, while Babson College takes 17%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,457 to 1,507.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Boston College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Babson College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $40,514, about $1,190 a year below Boston College's $41,704. Graduates of Boston College also borrow less: median debt of $19,000, against $20,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $4,760 before any change in aid. Choosing Babson College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Babson College graduates report median earnings of $123,938, compared with $103,937 at Boston College. That is a 19% advantage. Set against borrowing, Babson College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.16x to 0.18x.
So what: An earnings gap of 19% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Babson College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.8%; at Boston College, it is 1.6%. Babson College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Babson College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Babson College to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
Boston College is harder to get into, with a 16% admit rate, but Babson College posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.8%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Babson competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Boston College's enrollment of 10,085 far exceeds Babson College's 2,728.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Boston holds onto its admits more tightly: 43% of admitted students enroll, versus 39% at Babson — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Boston (33.4% Early Decision admit rate vs 27.5%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Babson, where only about 25% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Babson College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 17%, Babson College is a strong fit for students who are serious about pursuing a career in business and marketing. The intimate campus environment, home to around 2,728 students, fosters collaboration and networking among peers. Here, you’ll dive deep into practical studies that prepare you for real-world challenges, focusing on business principles and marketing strategies.
When we look at life after graduation, the numbers are promising. Graduates from Babson earn an impressive average of $123,938 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure reflects the college's focus on preparing students for high-earning roles in the competitive business landscape. It's worth noting that while the median debt stands at $20,000, this is manageable for the financial trajectory many graduates experience.
Cost is a crucial factor in choosing a college, and Babson's net price after aid is $40,514. This amount may seem high, but when considering the strong earning potential and the career opportunities that arise from a Babson education, many find it to be a worthwhile investment. Students who thrive here tend to be ambitious, driven, and ready to take on challenges in the business world.
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 16%, Boston College attracts students who are academically driven and ready to engage deeply with their studies. The school excels in areas like Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, and Psychology, among others. If you’re looking for a community that values both rigorous academics and a strong sense of tradition, this is a place where you can thrive.
Once you graduate, you can expect to make, on average, $103,937 after ten years in the workforce. That’s a solid figure that speaks to the value of a degree from Boston College. Students who study here often find themselves well-prepared for the job market, which is crucial as we consider our financial futures. The blend of a strong curriculum and a supportive network can lead to successful career paths.
Looking at the financial aspects, the net price after aid is around $41,704, and students typically graduate with a median debt of $19,000. This debt load is manageable for many, especially considering the earning potential after graduation. Boston College tends to attract students who are ready to invest in their education and take full advantage of the opportunities available, paving the way for both personal and professional growth.
Rankings They Appear On
Babson College and Boston College appear together in 12 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Colleges for Business, Babson College ranks #1 — Babson College outranks Boston College by 8 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 100% of Babson's student body and 23% of Boston's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Babson) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Boston).
The two schools feed different job markets. while Boston College concentrates in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Babson College or Boston College?
Boston College is harder to get into, admitting 16% of applicants compared with 17% at Babson College.
Which is more affordable, Babson College or Boston College?
Babson College is more affordable, with an average net price of $40,514 after aid versus $41,704 at Boston College.
Do Babson College or Boston College graduates earn more?
Babson College graduates earn more: median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, versus $103,937 at Boston College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Babson College or Boston College?
Babson College has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 91%.
Babson College vs Boston College: which is better for social mobility?
Babson College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.8% versus 1.6%.
Should you choose Babson College or Boston College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Babson College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Boston College if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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