Boston College

Boston College admitted 16.2% of applicants university-wide (5,632 of 34,779).

Early Decision applicants were admitted at 33.4%, vs 16.2% overall — ED is a binding commitment.

Also offers Early Action (closes Nov 1) — the Common Data Set doesn't publish EA admit counts.

Of 5,632 admitted students, 2,394 enrolled (42.5% yield).

Boston College Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C1–C2 · 2024 — Published cohort admit rates — context, not an applicant-specific probability.

SAT (mid-50%)

1460–1520

ACT (mid-50%)

33–35

GPA (mid-50%, 4.0 scale)

3.25–3.99

Testing policy: Test-optional (considered if submitted)

Boston College Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C9–C12 · 2024 — Published admit stats reflect the entire incoming class unless explicitly labeled international-only.

Published cost of attendance: $96,548/yr.

Average net price by family income (US, federal aid data)

U.S. Dept. of Education · College Scorecard — average net price by family income (Title IV, from IPEDS) · 2023

Boston College Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections G–H · 2024

Boston College · Application requirements (official admissions pages) · 2025

The Common App personal essay is required (one of 7 shared prompts), plus 8 college-specific supplements:

1. Boston College's Jesuit mission highlights "the three Be's": be attentive, be reflective, be loving – core to Jesuit education (see A Pocket Guide to Jesuit Education). If you could add a fourth "Be," what would it be and why? How would this new value support your personal development and enrich the BC community?400 words · Choose from this set
2. Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) Applicants only: One goal of a Jesuit education is to prepare students to serve the Common Good. Human-Centered Engineering at Boston College integrates technical knowledge, creativity, and a humanistic perspective to address societal challenges and opportunities. What societal problems are important to you and how will you use your HCE education to solve them?400 words · Choose from this set
3. In her July 2009 Ted Talk, 'The Danger of a Single Story,' Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warned viewers against assigning people a 'single story' through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background. Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them?400 words · Choose from this set
4. Boston College's Jesuit mission highlights 'the three Be's': be attentive, be reflective, be loving – core to Jesuit education (see A Pocket Guide to Jesuit Education). If you could add a fourth 'Be,' what would it be and why? How would this new value support your personal development and enrich the BC community?400 words · Choose from this set
5. The late BC theology professor, Father Michael Himes, argued that a university is not a place to which you go, but instead, a "rigorous and sustained conversation about the great questions of human existence, among the widest possible circle of the best possible conversation partners." Who has been your most meaningful conversation partner, and what profound questions have you considered together?400 words · Choose from this set
6. In her July 2009 Ted Talk, "The Danger of a Single Story," Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warned viewers against assigning people a "single story" through assumptions about their nationality, appearance, or background. Discuss a time when someone defined you by a single story. What challenges did this present and how did you overcome them?400 words · Choose from this set
7. The late BC theology professor, Father Michael Himes, argued that a university is not a place to which you go, but instead, a 'rigorous and sustained conversation about the great questions of human existence, among the widest possible circle of the best possible conversation partners.' Who has been your most meaningful conversation partner, and what profound questions have you considered together?400 words · Choose from this set
8. Strong communities are sustained by traditions. Boston College's annual calendar is marked with both long-standing and newer traditions that help shape our community. Tell us about a meaningful tradition in your family or community. Why is it important to you, and how does it bring people together or strengthen the bonds of those who participate?400 words · Choose from this set

Draft these in the free Essay Coach

Prompts from the Common App member feed · verified Jul 3, 2026

Median earnings

$103,937

Median earnings · 10 years after entry

Graduation rate

90.8%

Within 150% of normal time

First-year retention

96%

Return for year two · CDS Section B

Median debt

$19,000

At graduation

Boston College · U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2023 release) · 2023 — Earnings and debt figures are federal data for aid-receiving graduates — cohort outcomes, not a guarantee for any individual student.

• U.S. News National: #36
• WSJ: #132
• Forbes: #54
• Niche: #45
• QS: #526

• 2026-11-01Early Decision — Binding early round
• 2027-01-02Regular Decision — Standard deadline

Boston College Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C21–C22 · 2024

Largest degree fields: Business & marketing (29%), Social sciences (19%), Biological & life sciences (10%).

Student–faculty ratio: 10:1 · 49% of class sections have under 20 students.

Boston College Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections E, F, I · 2024 — Published institutional figures for the reporting year — descriptive of the current student body, not a prediction about your experience.

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