Boston College is a private Jesuit research university established in 1863 and located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States. It is the first and only Jesuit university in New England, and has been ranked among the top 20 universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report for the past several years.
Boston College has more than 15,025 students, among which there are 2,250+ international students, comprising approximately 7% of the total student body. All overseas students are required to have a high GPA, standardised test scores for SAT and ACT exams, along with proof of English proficiency in IELTS, Duolingo, or TOEFL tests.
Boston College acceptance rate is 19% which implies that the university is selective and competition is high, showing that out of every 100 applicants only 19 of them get accepted at the college. All applicants seeking admission to Boston College are required to submit an application fee of 80 USD (INR 6,644). Boston College tuition fee for international undergraduate students is INR 55,21,403 (66,410 USD).
Boston College has a long tradition of academic excellence and offers over 50 undergraduate majors and 80 graduate programmes. The university's teachers are experts in their disciplines, and they are dedicated to educating students how to think critically and solve challenges. Boston College is well-known for its outstanding academic offerings, notably in liberal arts, science, and business.
Boston is one of the top universities in the USA and the world and is ranked 93rd according to the QS 2024 World Universities Ranking. The college is ranked 78th in the Times Higher Education Rankings, 2024. Boston College is a great choice for students who are looking for a challenging and rewarding education in a beautiful and vibrant setting.
Boston College campus is located on a hill overlooking the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. The campus is home to a number of historic buildings, as well as modern facilities. The university has over 300 student organizations, including clubs, sports teams, and religious groups. Students also have the opportunity to study abroad, participate in internships, and volunteer in the community.
The application dates for Boston College vary according to the admissions schedule.
The deadline for Early Decision I is November 1, while Early Decision II applicants have until January 2 to submit their applications.
Regular Decision applicants must also submit their application with all relevant documentation before the January 2 deadline.
Furthermore, Spring Freshmen applications must be submitted by November 1.
To be eligible for admission to Boston College, all applicants must adhere to these deadlines.
Read more: Benefits of studying in USA
Boston College is a highly respected university with a strong academic reputation. According to QS 2024 World Universities Ranking, Boston is ranked 93rd in the world. The college is ranked 78th in the Times Higher Education, 2024 Rankings. ARWU 2023 has ranked and placed the college at 101-150th in the world.
Apart from global rankings, U.S. News & World Report 2024 has ranked Boston 39th in the United States. The college is ranked 8th for commitment to undergraduate teaching. Boston is ranked 51 for Best Value Schools. It is also ranked for its Business programmes including 7th in Finance, 10th in Accounting, Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Computer Science, Nursing, 11th in Marketing, and 12th in Management.
Domain | Year | Score | Rank | Rank Band |
---|---|---|---|---|
Overall | 2019 | NA | NA | 44.0–46.3 |
Overall | 2020 | NA | NA | 44.5–46.8 |
Overall | 2021 | NA | NA | 45.6–47.9 |
Overall | 2022 | NA | NA | 48.1–50.3 |
Overall | 2023 | NA | NA | 48.9–51.1 |
Overall | 2024 | NA | NA | 53.1-55.8 |
Boston College offers over 4,400 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in more than 50 fields of study, through 8 schools and colleges. The university is known for its programmes in the fields of Finance, Economics, Biology, Political Science, Psychology, Communication, Computer Science, Nursing, Neuroscience, Applied Psychology & Human Development. As a Jesuit, Catholic university and a leader in the liberal arts, Boston College is committed to formative education.
Boston College's tuition fees can vary depending on several factors, including your program of study, residency status, and whether you're enrolled full-time or part-time. All students pay mandatory fees, such as student activity fees and health insurance. All freshmen are required to pay a one-time required charge of INR 54,041 (650 USD) for First Year Orientation and their student ID. Estimated cost for books and incidental items is INR 2,61,894 (3,150 USD).
Boston College tuition fees
Item | Cost |
Undergraduate Tuition | INR 55,21,403 (66,410 USD |
Mandatory Fees for Resident Student | INR 1,05,589 (1,270 USD) |
Room and Board (Newton & Upper Campus) | INR 14,35,847 (17,270 USD) |
Total Tuition, Fees, Room, and Board | INR 70,62,840 (84,950 USD) |
The cost of living in Boston is significantly higher than the national average and comparable to other major US cities. Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus, total fees for on-campus are INR 10,97,463 - INR 13,13,630 (13,200 USD - 15,800 USD) per semester which includes housing and meal plans. For students living off-campus, a budget of INR 1,82,910 - INR 2,07,852 (2,200 USD - 2,500 USD) per month is required to cover study expenses in the USA which includes housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation.
Boston College living expenses
Expense list | Costs |
Housing | On campus accommodation - 5,905 USD to 6,600 USD per semester Off-Campus Housing: 1,800 USD per month |
Food / Groceries | On-campus meal basic plan starts at 2,630 USD per semester. Off-campus: 300 USD - 400 USD per month. |
Utilities and internet | 2,200 USD |
Transportation | Monthly T-Pass costs around 90 USD. |
Boston College acceptance rate is approximately 19%, which shows that the university is highly selective and only a few students are admitted to the university every year. Applicants looking for admission to Boston College must apply online by filling out an application form on the official website. A step-by-step procedure is mentioned below.
How to apply to Boston College?
Visit the official website of Boston College.
Choose the course of your choice.
Fill out the Common Application form available on the website.
Complete the form with relevant information.
Attach the required documents.
Pay the application fee.
Finally, submit your application.
Boston College application fees - All students seeking admission to Boston College are required to submit an application fee of 80 USD (INR 6,644) in order for their application to be reviewed. Candidates must submit the application fee online along with your Common Application.
Boston College application dates
Application type | Application deadline | Notification for offer |
Early Decision I | November 1 | December 15 |
Early Decision II | January 2 | February 15 |
Regular Decision | January 2 | April 1 |
Spring Freshmen | November 1 | December 15 |
Documents required for admission to Boston College
High school academic documents
Standardised test scores for SAT and ACT exams
Proof of English proficiency such as IELTS, and TOEFL.
A copy of the USA student visa
Letter of recommendation (if applicable)
Work experience (if applicable)
Statement of purpose (if applicable)
Boston College offers a variety of scholarships to help students finance their education. These scholarships vary in terms of merit, need, and specific academic achievements. Merit-based scholarships offered at the university include Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program, School and Program-Specific Scholarships, University Honors Program Scholarships, and External Scholarships.
The university offers need-based scholarships for domestic students, however, Boston College is unable to provide need-based financial aid to students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents. Therefore, international students should be prepared to finance the full cost of their Boston College education.
Also read: Scholarships in USA
Candidates must complete the English language requirements for their selected course if English is not their first language. In addition to submitting ACT or SAT scores, Boston College requires that non-U.S. citizens submit TOEFL (CEEB Code: 3083), IELTS, or Duolingo English Test examination scores. A detailed table for required scores is mentioned below.
Boston College English Proficiency Requirement
Exam | Scores required |
TOEFL iBT | 100 |
IELTS | 7.5 |
Duolingo English Test | 130 |
ACT | 34 |
SAT | 1480 |
The English proficiency requirement can be waived if an applicant meets at least one of the following three options:
English is your native language;
You have attended a U.S. high school or another majority native English-speaking country for at least three years, and you are enrolled in a traditional academic curriculum without ESOL coursework; or
You score 650 or above on the SAT EBRW or 29 or better on the ACT English section.
Boston College is a highly-ranked university with a strong reputation for excellence. It is a good choice for students who are interested in studying in the United States and gain world-class education from experienced professors. Boston College has more than 15,025 students, among which there are 7% international students.
All overseas students can contact Boston College on the following details:
Address: Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Contact: 617-552-3100
Yes, it is difficult to get into Boston College, as the university is highly selective and admission is quite challenging. Boston College acceptance rate is 19% which means that competition is high and out of every 100 applicants only 19 of them get accepted at the college.