Head-to-Head Comparison
Boston College vs The University of Texas at Austin
- Boston Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 12
- Texas Austin Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, The University of Texas at Austin offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Boston College achieves a higher graduation rate (91% vs 88%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $41,704 compared to The University of Texas at Austin's $19,857 for in-state paths. Students who choose The University of Texas at Austin benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $75,121 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Boston
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment, 38% more than The University of Texas at Austin
- Higher grad rate: 91% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 16% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Texas Austin
- Lower cost: Average net price of $19,857, roughly $21,847 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #29
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Boston graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (23% of degrees); Texas Austin in Engineering (10%). 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 Boston College over The University of Texas at Austin. Median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment vs $75,121.
Pick The University of Texas at Austin over Boston College. Net price $19,857 vs $41,704.
Pick The University of Texas at Austin over Boston College. THE World Rank #29 vs #161.
Pick The University of Texas at Austin over Boston College. 2.2% mobility rate vs 1.6%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Boston College and The University of Texas at Austin are close on paper, but Boston 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 The University of Texas at Austin takes 27%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,507 to 1,395.
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, The University of Texas at Austin comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $19,857, about $21,847 a year below Boston College's $41,704. Graduates of Boston College also borrow less: median debt of $19,000, against $20,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $87,388 before any change in aid. Choosing The University of Texas at Austin leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Boston College graduates report median earnings of $103,937, compared with $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin. That is a 38% advantage. Set against borrowing, Boston College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 38% 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
The University of Texas at Austin does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.2%; at Boston College, it is 1.6%. The University of Texas at Austin also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, The University of Texas at Austin 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.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, The University of Texas at Austin sits higher, at #29 versus #161.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick The University of Texas at Austin to keep costs and debt down; pick Boston College for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. The University of Texas at Austin saves about $21,847 a year, yet Boston College graduates earn $28,816 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Boston College is harder to get into, with a 16% admit rate, but The University of Texas at Austin posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. The University of Texas at Austin ranks higher globally (#29 vs #161), but Boston College alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. Boston College concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, while The University of Texas at Austin leans toward Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,704 runs well above The University of Texas at Austin's $19,857.
- Engineering-focused students: The University of Texas at Austin has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: The University of Texas at Austin has less business program depth, and Boston College offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: The University of Texas at Austin's enrollment of 42,855 far exceeds Boston College's 10,085.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Texas Austin holds onto its admits more tightly: 47% of admitted students enroll, versus 43% at Boston — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Boston offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Texas Austin does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
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
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.
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public
The University of Texas at Austin is home to over 42,000 students who are drawn to its strong programs in fields like Biology, Engineering, Business, Communications, and Computer Science. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it’s a competitive environment that suits those ready to engage deeply in their studies and campus life. The vibrant city of Austin enhances this experience, offering a unique blend of cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities that appeal to students looking for both academic and personal growth.
After graduation, students can expect solid earning potential, with a median salary of around $75,121 ten years post-degree. This financial outcome reflects the value of the education received here and the demand for graduates in the job market. The affordability factor is significant as well; even with a net price of $19,857, many students find support through financial aid, helping to ease the transition into the workforce.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending UT Austin, students typically graduate with a median debt of $20,500. This manageable debt level, combined with the strong earning potential, makes the financial landscape here more accessible. Students who tend to thrive at UT Austin are those who embrace the challenges and opportunities of a large public university, taking advantage of the resources available while actively participating in the diverse and dynamic community.
Rankings They Appear On
The University of Texas at Austin is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Texas ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Boston's top program is Business Administration (23% of enrollment), while Texas Austin leads with Mechanical Engineering (10%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Boston) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Texas Austin).
The two schools feed different job markets. Boston College is strongest in Social Sciences, Psychology, while The University of Texas at Austin concentrates in Engineering, Communications. 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 Boston College or The University of Texas at Austin?
Boston College is harder to get into, admitting 16% of applicants compared with 27% at The University of Texas at Austin.
Which is more affordable, Boston College or The University of Texas at Austin?
The University of Texas at Austin is more affordable, with an average net price of $19,857 after aid versus $41,704 at Boston College.
Do Boston College or The University of Texas at Austin graduates earn more?
Boston College graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment, versus $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin.
Which has a better graduation rate, Boston College or The University of Texas at Austin?
Boston College has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 88%.
Boston College vs The University of Texas at Austin: which is better for social mobility?
The University of Texas at Austin is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.2% versus 1.6%.
Should you choose Boston College or The University of Texas at Austin?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose The University of Texas at Austin if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Boston College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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