Founded in 1863, Boston College. is a Private college. Located in Massachusetts, which is a city setting in Massachusetts, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 9,870 full time undergraduate students, and 4,596 full time graduate students.
The Boston College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 14:1. There are 821 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Boston College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
31%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
75
SAT Range
1260-1460
ACT Range
30-33
Admissions at BC are considered More Selective, with ,65% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 8 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
99% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 96% were in the top quarter, and 81% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Boston College.
2%
“We”re apathetic”
37%
“We know about current events and vote”
57%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
8%
“We save it for the classroom”
16%
“Sometimes, but not often”
60%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
17%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
2%
“I only go out in groups”
22%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
76%
“I feel extremely safe”
5%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
22%
“We bought the gear”
74%
“We live for the big game”
11%
“It”s not really our thing”
42%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
39%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
8%
“We”re a very artistic group”
1%
“Haven”t met them”
8%
“Available in class”
62%
“They keep regular office hours”
29%
“They”re always available”
91%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
6%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
1%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
2%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
5%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
47%
“We only party on weekends”
48%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
6%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
64%
“There might be people who do”
28%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
2%
“We”re apathetic”
37%
“We know about current events and vote”
57%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
8%
“We save it for the classroom”
16%
“Sometimes, but not often”
60%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
17%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
2%
“I only go out in groups”
22%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
76%
“I feel extremely safe”
5%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
22%
“We bought the gear”
74%
“We live for the big game”
11%
“It”s not really our thing”
42%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
39%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
8%
“We”re a very artistic group”
1%
“Haven”t met them”
8%
“Available in class”
62%
“They keep regular office hours”
29%
“They”re always available”
91%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
6%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
1%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
2%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
127 Students rated on-campus housing 3.5 stars. 12 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
99 Students rated off-campus housing 3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
129 Students rated campus food 3.7 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
129 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
129 Students rated class size 4 stars. 29 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
129 Students rated school activities 4.2 stars. 50 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
130 Students rated local services 3.8 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
131 Students rated academics 3.6 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.
Boston College REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Boston College?
38 Students rated Boston College
Sara
Prospective04/20/2025
Though I have never visited Boston College, I have seen virtual experiences detailing the campus and community at Boston College. Beyond their extraordinary campus, what stands out to me most is the commitment Boston College has to volunteering. The community is a positive environment that prioritizes giving back, especially through student involvement. The campus students don't just share strong academics, but they also live an impressively balanced life. Students are allowed to live a life outside of academics through their social life, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
I am especially inspired by Boston College's pre-health program. Boston College offers many research opportunities, which would benefit me, such as interning or volunteering in research centers in Boston. Boston College also provides strong support for MCAT prep, med school applications, and resume building. These opportunities all help to impress medical schools.
Finnegan
Prospective04/15/2025
When I learned of Boston College’s dedication to cancer research, it immediately seized my attention. I would be eager to take Professor Thomas Seyfried’s course, Cancer as a metabolic disease, and learn of his research with metabolic cancer therapy. After reading his hypotheses of the origin of cancer metasis, I am eager to be in an environment where I can learn more and further my readings from knowledgeable professors and peers. My ultimate goal would be to research in Dr. Seyfried’s lab and not only learn of his approach that metabolic pathways are capable of modifying the pathogenesis of diseases, but contribute my personal research to further the growth of the program.
Outside of the classroom, I applaud the many ways Boston College’s students are dedicated to raising money for cancer research such as the relay for life hosted by the American Cancer Society. By integrating the college's sense of community with creative ideas, I aspire to design and host additional events that will not only raise the funds to further cancer research, but ignite a passion in other students to do the same. From participating in fundraisers to playing a role in cutting-edge research, I strive to contribute to the discovery of innovative therapeutics for cancer patients.
Courtney
Prospective04/05/2025
I was initially drawn in by the bubbly personality of my first tour guide. She seemed to be exactly who I wanted to be as a college student, driven, focused, passionate, and involved in the school community. She shared extremely interesting specifics about the courses she was taking and sung the praises of the faculty. During the information session, the thing that stuck out to me the most was that my degree, no matter what I chose, would almost definitely take four years. This meant that I could take me AP credits to count towards general courses every student had to take and I could then double major with my free credit spaces. I am excited to be a part of a community that is so intertwined with my faith and with intellect, and to be able to figure myself out in the process of attending.
Olivia
05/10/2024
Boston College excels in all aspects: in academics, sports, location, and social life. Boston College offers rigorous, engaging classes, dedicated professors, and a supportive learning environment. Boston College has a strong sense of pride and tradition. The location is ideal; you get to reap the benefits of the vibrant city within a suburban campus. The tight-knit, inclusive environment draws me in. I will be attending BC in the fall, and I could not be more excited.
Abigail
03/04/2023
I loved being a student at Boston College. It was an intellectually-challenging school with a focus on how to be a "man and woman for others": in other words, how to form meaningful connections with others, support and advocate for needy populations, and give back to the community. I found that Boston College was a "work hard play hard" school as well, with most students celebrating different sports games on the weekends but grinding in the library during the week. Other major highlights of Boston College included all of their student-led organizations, with many focused on service, and their vast array of intramural, club, and Division 1 sports.
Marianelly
09/28/2021
I think that it is a very diversity school in which you can easily connect and make friends with everyone. You are open to new opportunities everywhere and you are free to interact and get new experiences. I like the community as a whole that seems together as a family.
Wendi
08/04/2021
.
Christine
11/29/2020
Mateo's review hits the nail on the head, but for me, many of those things made it a 1-star experience overall. For that, I'm going to get a bit more specific, so if you want a good general overview, check out Mateo's review.
One of my biggest issues is probably how money-hungry the school is. $60k/year, drowning in loans that still haven't been paid off for a degree I don't use, yet I still get constant calls, emails, and mail asking for more money. Not to mention, now that I've been graduated for a few years, it costs $5 to retrieve my official transcripts. I know that's not much, but it's a little ridiculous that $240,000 doesn't cover a lifetime of transcripts. Come on.
I also had many experiences (particularly outside of my film major - those profs are great) where I did not feel supported whatsoever by professors. One of the worst examples in my opinion was that as an undecided freshman, I had a passion for a specific linguistic topic that only one Linguistics professor had the knowledge to potentially help me continue to pursue. I made multiple attempts to contact the professor and even spoke multiple times with the head of the department, but I never received a response on whether or not that professor was willing or able to find the time to help me learn her specialty. I found a different major, and my linguistic interests went unsatisfied. So much for that $240,000 price tag.
It's extremely preppy/sporty and not at all diverse. I'm whiter than snow, and even I started having trouble telling all the white dudes apart. They all look, talk, dress, and act the same. It's kind of creepy.
And now for the politics. I'm very liberal but mostly grew to be that way throughout college, so I didn't really know what I was getting into when I chose BC in high school. BC is VERY conservative, which wouldn't be an issue in-and-of-itself if it weren't for their incessant silencing of students.
I attended during the murder of Eric Garner, and honestly, BC's response to the protests and everything during that time was actually disgusting. I could write a novel on that alone, but I'm sure there are many better-articulated pieces on it out there if you do a quick Google search. And if you specifically want an idea of the black/POC experience at BC, check out the Instagram @blackatbostoncollege. Horrific.
Piggy-backing on the money-hungry problem but still more of a political opinion, they REFUSE to divest in fossil fuels. Again, I'm sure there are many better-articulated pieces out there with a quick Google search, but I find it infuriating.
I was extremely lucky in finding my people. Had I not won the random roommate lottery freshman year to get an angel of a roommate who put up with me for 4 years and had someone not shoved a camera in my face at the extracurricular fair freshman year, I don't know that I would've ever really had any moments of feeling welcome or at home.
I also lucked out finding the film department. Almost all of the film professors are gems.
Emily
10/29/2020
I am in my first year at Boston College and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, so far. The academics have been challenging; however, I have loved how passionate and inspiring each professor has been. Most of my classes have involved discussions where the entire class gets involved, and those have led to excellent discussions. The only negative I can think of is the spotty busing from Newton upper campus to the classes I have in main campus. Overall, the first few months have been wonderful and I look forward to the remaining 4 years!
Ivan
05/22/2020
I enjoy the school as there are always activities to do and the faculty is kind and available to establish genuine relationships. The facilities to work out are my favorite part because they have so much equipment to work out and stay in shape. Not only that but sports games are always amazing to attend where you can really see the school spirit.
Marissa
05/11/2020
BC is a great place, and has the opportunity to be amazing if you take advantage of all the opportunities there. I attended regular office hours and got a lot out of my classes. I also made lifelong friends. If you be sure to focus on building lasting relationships and having fun, you'll love it!
Patrick
04/09/2020
Boston College is honestly a disappointment. The administration is completely apathetic towards LGBTQ+ or race issues (as is the President) and the Division of Student Affairs (ResLife, Disability Services, etc) is largely useless. The student culture here is shallow and all anyone ever cares about is drinking and partying. I only find kindness in individuals scattered across campus, almost never in offices of the institution. There is no appreciation for the fine arts here and all anyone ever cares about is football (even though our team sucks). Too many entitled rich kids on campus who freak out over the slightest inconvenience. I wish I had found somewhere better to go to school but I got too entrapped here. If only I had left sooner...
Pierce
02/28/2020
Boston College is a great school! It is renowned for its great education, vast resources, and astoundingly beautiful architecture. My personal favorite things about the university were the high quality of the food served at the different cafeterias, and the numerous student groups on campus (since we do not have fraternities/sororities on campus, this is where I really found my tight group of friends).
Molly
02/18/2020
Can sometimes feel homogenous, many wealthy students attend this school and can make you feel a little out of place. Overall, though, the education is great and students take academics very seriously. I am a white student, so I cannot speak to the experience of minorities, but I have heard from peers that it can feel somewhat homogenous in a racial sense as well.
Gabrielle
02/11/2020
Fantastic place to learn, grow and make lifelong friendships.
Boston College is like an onion - the longer you are there, the more layers and the more value you find. As a freshman, it can be a bit challenging to make friends (some say this is because of the lack of Greek life). I think this almost universal struggle helps people become more independent and truly find the friends they belong with. The housing can be a big source of contention - you have to break up into set groups and enter into a lottery to get housing in a range of desired dorms. Nevertheless, a bond is created where ever you are placed. The sports culture is great - football season in particular. People can party as much or as little as they want - there are groups for every kind of person.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Boston College is 31%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
Remember that job you had over the summer and how much money you spent every week? SAVE IT!! Put some money in your savings account please!! College is all about self independency and without a little chump change this transition will be very difficult! You will want to go out on your own and buy something for your room without borrowing from your mom oncce in a while. Also cut down on all the candy! The gym at BC is always packed and you will never get your turn on the treadmill, so cut down on the snacks for a while. Maybe you should asking use those new running shoes you bought because food at BC is great and you won't skip meals! Take your time with each class and expect the unexpected. You haven't had a class with more than 30 kids, but when you get to America and the world you will have over 100. Find a studious friend in each class to swap notes as usual and swap numbers. Last but not least HAVE FUN!
I spent almost all my time in the library this semester because I was taking 6 classes and my first pre-prac. Socially it was a terrible semester. I think BC is a good size, it large enough that you can avoid people you don't want to see, but small enough that you do run into friends all the time. One of the biggest complaints on campus is the food. There are only 2 main dining halls on campus, one with a very limited variety and the other has much more variety, but not enough that you wont get sick of it by the end of the semester. There are also a grab n' go or sandwich place that is really good, where they serve Starbucks, but is only open until 8.
There is a lot of core which is good and bad, because you graduate with a lot of knowledge in many different fields, but it limits your exploration process to see what you want to major in.
There is a lot of participation required, mostly in smaller classes, but in the seminars it is usually digital participation. Through the semester you at least have one group project which is also good and bad, because you get to meet people, but it is time consuming.
What are the most popular student activities/groups?
Some popular activities on campus are usually centered around sports, as many students often attend sports games. However, there are other activities on campus, such as acapella groups, music groups, theatre clubs, and much more.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
Boston College is a really nice small school yet at the same time has all of the excitement of a large school. We have amazing school spirit and great sports teams that are always fun to watch. Combined with this, we have a small school vibe where you can meet a lot of people and reconize them around campus. It's not too big and not too small. The campus is also beautiful and located in a perfect area. You can escape into the suburbs for some peace and quite and then take the T into Boston and have fun.
The kind of person that wants to be challenged by others and themselves. A person that isn't afraid to question who they think they are and open themselves up to their fears. A person who is looking for more than a party and is ready to work. A person who loves tbe thought of expanding their understanding and wants the best for themselves. A person looking for a strong and protective community spirit, who likes football and drinking on the weekends.
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
Even among the other college populations we get a bad rep for preppy, snobby, dunk, rich, white bros and hoes or j-crew with a hangover. There is even a blog called Bro-ston College. This is not true-yes maybe 5{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the population is made up of bros and hoes but the rest is a friendly, normal atmosphere. People still wear sweats around campus, most people get some form of financial aid, not everyone drinks on campus though I would stress that this is not even close to a dry campus but people who do not party still manage. We do have more diversity than people would think around here too and the cultural clubs are huge on campus the main one being AHANA. People here are definitely not racist in the slightest.
People here overall and in general are friendly, not always what you would call religious, not alcoholic, care enough about their schoolwork but not to the point of having no life.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
53% of students attending Boston College receive some sort of financial aid.
13% were awarded federal grants.38%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.