BC vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 15,432 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

BC vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or Columbia? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia University in the City of New York than BC ($22,520 vs. $32,519).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 7.1% lower than at Boston College ($17,580 vs. $18,916).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $1,143 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,702.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Columbia than at Boston College (about $1,143 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,702.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Boston College (52% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 17.6% larger than aid received by Boston College students ($67,010 vs. $56,971).

BC vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC or Columbia? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbia and BC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 60 points higher than at BC (1490).
• Incoming BC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Columbia (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 1440/1540; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at BC (3.86).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (16.4%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

BC vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and Columbia? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Boston College's (91%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $90,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($19,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($196 vs. $222).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.