BC vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

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

Boston College is larger than U of R based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 11,946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); University of Rochester is in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; University of Rochester 9:1.

BC vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or U of R? 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 Boston College than U of R ($32,519 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston College are 4.4% lower than at University of Rochester ($18,916 vs. $19,792).
• Boston College is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of R (about $3,622 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at BC than at University of Rochester (about $3,622 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Boston College (72% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 25.2% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($56,971 vs. $45,500).

BC vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC or U of R? 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 U of R and BC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston College (1490) is 10 points higher than at U of R (1480).
• Incoming BC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at U of R).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 1440/1540; University of Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than BC (16.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 15.4% at U of R.

BC vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and U of R? 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).

• Boston College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than University of Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $19,900 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($19,000 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($196 vs. $253).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 79%)

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.