Boston College vs Boston University

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CollegeRanker is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

BC vs BU Introduction

Choosing the right college is a crucial decision that can impact a student’s life significantly. This article aims to provide a comprehensive comparison between Boston College (BC) and Boston University (BU), two prestigious institutions in the Boston area.

Boston College Overview

Boston College is a private Jesuit Catholic research university founded in 1863. Its main campus is in Chestnut Hill, a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts. BC offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across its 8 schools and colleges.

Boston College Costs & Tuition

The total cost of attending BC, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is approximately $75,886 per year. BC provides financial aid to eligible students, with 45% of its undergraduates receiving need-based financial aid. The average need-based scholarship or grant award is $45,700.

Boston College Admissions

With an acceptance rate of 27%, BC is considered a highly competitive institution. Applicants are required to submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The middle 50% range of SAT scores for accepted students is 1340-1500, while the ACT range is 31-34.

Boston College Degrees Offered

Boston College offers over 50 major fields of study for undergraduate students, as well as various graduate and professional programs. Popular undergraduate majors include Business, Management, Marketing, Social Sciences, and Communication.

Boston College Academics

BC is well-known for its excellent faculty, small classes, and research opportunities. The student-faculty ratio is 13:1, and over 50% of its classes have fewer than 20 students. BC’s emphasis on liberal arts education ensures a well-rounded foundation for its students.

Boston College Diversity

Boston College has a diverse student body, with 29% of its undergraduate students identifying as students of color, and 10% being international students. BC is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and offers various resources and support services for minority and international students.

Boston College Students

Boston College has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 9,370 students. The campus is known for its strong sense of community, with numerous events and activities for students to get involved in, including over 200 student-run clubs and organizations.

Boston College Campus

The beautiful 175-acre campus of BC features a mix of Gothic-style buildings, modern architecture, and green spaces. The campus offers various facilities, including libraries, sports facilities, dining options, and residence halls for students.

Boston College Alumni

BC has a strong alumni network, with over 182,000 alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include Chris O’Donnell, Amy Poehler, and John Kerry.

Boston College Rankings

Boston College is currently ranked #35 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report and #53 in QS Global World Rankings.

Boston College Outcomes

The four-year graduation rate at BC is 88%, and the average starting salary for recent graduates is around $60,000. Top employers for BC graduates include PwC, EY, and Deloitte.

Boston University Overview

Boston University is a private research university founded in 1839. Located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, BU offers a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs through its 17 schools and colleges.

Boston University Costs & Tuition

The total cost of attending BU, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is approximately $76,886 per year. BU offers need-based financial aid, with around 44% of its undergraduate students receiving financial aid packages. The average need-based scholarship or grant award is $41,373.

Boston University Admissions

BU has an acceptance rate of 19%, making it a highly selective institution. Applicants are required to submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The middle 50% range of SAT scores for accepted students is 1340-1510, while the ACT range is 30-34.

Boston University Degrees Offered

Boston University offers over 250 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. Popular undergraduate majors include Business, Management, Marketing, Health Professions, and Social Sciences.

Boston University Academics

BU is known for its rigorous academic programs, world-class faculty, and research opportunities. The student-faculty ratio is 10:1, with over 60% of its classes having fewer than 20 students. BU also offers various study abroad programs, allowing students to gain international experience.

Boston University Diversity

Boston University has a diverse student body, with 42% of its undergraduate students identifying as students of color, and 24% being international students. BU is committed to fostering inclusivity and offers various resources and support services for minority and international students.

Boston University Students

Boston University has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 18,515 students. The urban campus offers numerous opportunities for students to get involved, with over 450 student-run clubs and organizations.

Boston University Campus

BU’s 135-acre campus is located along the Charles River and offers a mix of historic and modern architecture. Students have access to various facilities, including libraries, sports facilities, dining options, and residence halls.

Boston University Alumni

BU has a strong alumni network, with over 377,900 alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include Martin Luther King Jr., Julianne Moore, and Howard Stern.

Boston University Rankings

Boston University is currently ranked #42 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report and #110 in QS Global World Rankings.

Boston University Outcomes

The four-year graduation rate at BU is 81%, and the average starting salary for recent graduates is around $58,000. Top employers for BU graduates include PwC, EY, and Deloitte.

BC vs BU Cost Comparison

Boston College and Boston University have similar costs of attendance, with BC’s total cost being $75,886 per year and BU’s total cost being $76,886 per year. Both institutions offer need-based financial aid packages, with BC’s average need-based scholarship or grant award being $45,700 and BU’s average award being $41,373.

BC vs BU Admissions Difficulty

Both institutions are highly competitive in terms of admissions, with BC having an acceptance rate of 27% and BU having an acceptance rate of 19%. The middle 50% range of SAT scores for accepted students at both schools is similar, with BC’s range being 1340-1500 and BU’s range being 1340-1510. The middle 50% ACT range is also similar, with BC’s range being 31-34 and BU’s range being 30-34.

BC vs BU Academic Difficulty

Both Boston College and Boston University have rigorous academic programs and high-quality faculty. The student-faculty ratio at BC is 13:1, while at BU, it is 10:1. Both institutions offer small class sizes, with over 50% of classes at BC and over 60% of classes at BU having fewer than 20 students.

BC vs BU Outcome Comparison

The four-year graduation rate at Boston College is 88%, while at Boston University, it is 81%. The average starting salary for recent graduates from both schools is similar, with BC graduates earning around $60,000 and BU graduates earning around $58,000. Top employers for graduates from both institutions include PwC, EY, and Deloitte.