When choosing a college, it is essential to consider factors such as cost, admission difficulty, and academic programs. This article will compare Boston College (BC) and Northeastern University, two prestigious institutions located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts.
BC Overview
Boston College is a private, Jesuit Catholic research university. Established in 1863, BC offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across a wide range of disciplines. The campus is located in Chestnut Hill, a suburb of Boston.
BC Costs & Tuition
BC’s tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year is $59,050, with an estimated total cost of attendance of around $78,000 per year, including room and board, fees, and other expenses.
BC Admissions
BC has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of approximately 27%. The middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores between 1320 and 1490, and ACT scores ranging between 31 and 34.
BC Degrees Offered
Boston College offers over 50 majors across several schools and colleges, including Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Nursing, and Social Work.
BC Academics
BC emphasizes a liberal arts education, with students expected to complete core requirements in subjects such as English, history, and philosophy. The university boasts a low student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1.
BC Diversity
Boston College’s student body is diverse, with students from all 50 states and over 80 countries. Approximately 32% of the student population identifies as part of an underrepresented minority group.
BC Students
BC has approximately 14,000 students, with around 9,500 undergraduate students and 4,500 graduate and professional students.
BC Campus
The BC campus spans 338 acres and is known for its Gothic architecture and picturesque setting. The university offers various facilities and resources, including state-of-the-art classrooms, research centers, and athletic facilities.
BC Alumni
Notable BC alumni include U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, and author Dennis Lehane.
BC Rankings
Boston College ranks #35 in the 2021 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s National Universities rankings.
BC Outcomes
BC boasts a strong track record of post-graduation success, with a 91% graduation rate and an average starting salary of $62,000 for graduates.
Northeastern University Overview
Northeastern University is a private research university founded in 1898. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, Northeastern offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
Northeastern Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, Northeastern’s tuition is $55,452, with an estimated total cost of attendance of around $76,000 per year, including room and board, fees, and other expenses.
Northeastern Admissions
Northeastern has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 18%. The middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores between 1390 and 1540, and ACT scores ranging from 32 to 35.
Northeastern Degrees Offered
Northeastern offers more than 150 majors and concentrations across various colleges, including Arts, Media & Design, Business, Computer & Information Science, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences & Humanities.
Northeastern Academics
Northeastern is known for its cooperative education program, which integrates classroom study with professional experience. The university has partnerships with over 3,000 employers worldwide, providing students with opportunities to gain valuable work experience while earning their degree.
Northeastern Diversity
Northeastern’s student body is diverse, with students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Approximately 33% of the student population identifies as part of an underrepresented minority group.
Northeastern Students
Northeastern enrolls around 27,000 students, with approximately 18,000 undergraduate students and 9,000 graduate and professional students.
Northeastern Campus
The Northeastern campus covers 73 acres in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood. The university offers state-of-the-art facilities, including research centers, laboratories, and athletic facilities.
Northeastern Alumni
Notable Northeastern alumni include former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, journalist Natalie Morales, and entrepreneur Amin Khoury.
Northeastern Rankings
Northeastern University ranks #49 in the 2021 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s National Universities rankings.
Northeastern Outcomes
Northeastern boasts a 90% graduation rate and an average starting salary of $64,000 for graduates.
BC vs Northeastern Cost Comparison
The total cost of attendance for Boston College is slightly higher ($78,000) than Northeastern University ($76,000). However, both institutions offer financial aid, scholarships, and work-study programs that can help students reduce the financial burden.
BC vs Northeastern Admissions Difficulty
Both BC and Northeastern have competitive admissions processes, with Northeastern having a slightly lower acceptance rate (18%) compared to BC (27%). However, both schools admit students with high SAT and ACT scores, indicating that applicants to either institution should prepare well for these standardized tests.
BC vs Northeastern Academic Difficulty
Both universities are known for their rigorous academic programs, with BC focusing on a liberal arts education and Northeastern emphasizing experiential learning through its cooperative education program. Students at both schools can expect challenging coursework and high academic standards.
BC vs Northeastern Outcome Comparison
Both Boston College and Northeastern University have strong post-graduation outcomes, with high graduation rates (91% at BC and 90% at Northeastern) and average starting salaries ($62,000 at BC and $64,000 at Northeastern). Graduates from both institutions can expect a strong foundation for career success.
