Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts · Private Nonprofit · 16.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 92/100 · Exceptional Value
Boston College scores 92 (Exceptional Value) on the CampusROI scale -- a high-performing private research university with strong completion and earnings data. The 90.8% completion rate, 4.5-year payback period, and $64,900 median 6-year earnings combine to justify the premium price for most students. Median debt is $19,000 against a $70,702 sticker tuition, reflecting a net price of $41,704 that many families will still find demanding. The strongest programs by earnings are Finance ($82,495 year-one, 384 graduates), Computer Science ($86,749 year-one, 144 graduates), and Information Science ($80,731 year-one, 70 graduates), all earning ROI grade A. The 10-year earnings trajectory to $103,937 is a strong signal for long-run return across fields. One-year repayment rate of 91.7% indicates graduates enter the workforce and begin retiring debt almost immediately. The Pell grant rate of 12.9% is low, signaling that BC's financial aid reach for lower-income students is more limited than peer institutions. The school's Jesuit identity shapes campus culture and curricular requirements; prospective students should factor fit with that environment into their decision.
The median graduate earns $103,937 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
Boston College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $70,702/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $70,702/yr |
| Average net price | $41,704/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $166,816 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $103,937 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $64,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $201 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 90.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 10,085 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Boston College is $70,702/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $41,704/year, or roughly $166,816 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $4,284/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $60,308/year. The school provides substantial aid to low-income students, making it significantly more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
The median graduate leaves with $19,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $201 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $103,937 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.29 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,284 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,304 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,112 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,999 |
| $110,001+ | $60,308 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families in the $0-$30,000 bracket pay $4,284 net price per year at Boston College -- among the most generous aid packages in this comparison. The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $7,304 per year. These figures represent genuine financial commitment to lower-income access and are competitive with peer institutions. A 90.8% completion rate means the aid investment is likely to produce a degree. Low-income students who gain admission to BC should seriously consider it.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $13,112 per year at BC. The $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $19,999. These are reasonable outcomes against BC's $70,702 sticker tuition, though middle-income families above $75k will feel the price. The net price calculator is essential for this band. BC's strong completion rate and earnings trajectory mean the investment tends to pay off even at the higher end of the middle-income schedule.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $60,308 per year at BC -- roughly $241,000 over four years at full pay. With a 4.5-year payback period and $64,900 median 6-year earnings, the aggregate case holds for students entering strong professional tracks. For students in lower-earning fields, the full-pay burden is real. BC's repayment rate of 94.2% at three years post-enrollment indicates most graduates handle this obligation successfully.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Boston College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management | $147,746 | A |
| Economics | $121,337 | B+ |
| Biology | $83,614 | C+ |
| International Relations | $86,537 | B |
| Communication and Media Studies | $83,586 | B+ |
| Computer Science | $143,204 | A |
| Clinical Psychology | $76,328 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $123,144 | A |
| Registered Nursing | $94,867 | A |
| Psychology | $70,033 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance is Boston College's largest high-earning program at 384 graduates: $82,495 median year-one earnings and $147,746 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.218 (ROI grade A). Median debt of $18,000 against $82k year-one earnings means most graduates recover debt in under a year of income. BC's Carroll School of Management finance pipeline flows directly into investment banking and asset management in Boston and New York. The four-year trajectory to $147k is among the strongest in the BC program set.
Computer Science
Computer Science at BC earns 144 graduates and posts $86,749 at year one, $143,204 at year four -- the highest earnings trajectory in the program set. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.219 (ROI grade A) and median debt of $19,000 make this a financially efficient path. BC CS graduates compete well in the Boston tech labor market and in software engineering pipelines nationally. The year-four figure of $143k reflects both career progression and the premium a BC credential commands in technical roles.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing at BC produces 115 graduates, $78,934 median year-one earnings, and a B-grade ROI via Connell School of Nursing. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.168 (ROI grade A) is the best ratio across BC's top programs, with median debt of $13,250. Nursing graduates enter a strong Boston-area healthcare labor market. The $94,867 four-year figure reflects standard nursing career progression rather than rapid acceleration. This is a straightforward, strong-return path at BC.
Economics
Economics at BC enrolls 335 graduates and posts $72,099 year-one and $121,337 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.250 (ROI grade B+). The large class size reflects the discipline's popularity. BC Economics graduates move into consulting, finance, and graduate study. The $121k four-year figure is strong but trails Finance and CS, reflecting the broader career dispersion in a social science field. Median debt of $18,000 is manageable against these earnings.
Psychology
Psychology at BC shows 111 graduates, $44,760 year-one, and $70,033 at year four, with a B-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.402). This is a competent but not exceptional outcome for a psychology degree; the year-four growth to $70k reflects graduate school entry and a diverse range of human services, research, and clinical pathways. Median debt of $18,000 is standard for BC borrowers. Students should plan for additional graduate education if pursuing clinical or research careers.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 91.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 94.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 93.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 93.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 16.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 730-780 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 710-760 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 33-35 |
| Enrollment | 10,085 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 12.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $18,131 |
At 16.4%, Boston College is highly selective but less so than peer schools like Georgetown or Northwestern. SAT Math 730-780 and Reading 710-760 describe the middle 50%; ACT 33-35 composite is comparable. BC's Catholic Jesuit identity factors into admissions in ways that make demonstrated community engagement and values alignment meaningful differentiators. Students who can speak to their fit with BC's mission tend to perform better in the process than those treating it as a safety for the highest-tier schools.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Boston College's listed Scorecard peers include Georgetown, Emory, Northwestern, and Amherst College. BC's ROI of 92 compares well to Georgetown (a strong performer) and Emory (similarly strong). Northwestern and Emory carry higher sticker prices with comparable or higher earnings profiles. For students choosing between these schools, the net price differential and program fit are the primary financial variables -- aggregate ROI scores are close at this tier. BC's finance and business programs are a comparative strength against Emory's and Amherst's more liberal-arts-weighted program mixes.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston College (this school) | 92 | $41,704 | $103,937 |
| Northwestern University | 94 | $29,167 | $89,363 |
| Georgetown University | 93 | $40,815 | $103,494 |
| Emory University | 92 | $22,585 | $80,137 |
| Amherst College | 90 | $23,367 | $77,644 |
| American International College | 38 | $23,274 | $53,124 |
Who Thrives Here
Boston College admits 16.4% of applicants, placing it in the highly selective tier. SAT mid-ranges are 730-780 Math and 710-760 Reading; ACT composite 33-35. At 10,085 undergraduates, BC is a large private research university by selective-school standards. The Jesuit tradition shapes core curriculum requirements and campus culture. Finance and business are the dominant graduate pathways by volume. Students seeking strong professional outcomes in finance, consulting, or healthcare (Registered Nursing produces 115 graduates at $78,934 year-one) will find well-developed pipelines. The Pell rate of 12.9% is modest; lower-income applicants should run the net price calculator carefully.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Boston College is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $166,816 and median graduate earnings of $103,937 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 4.5 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 90.8% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $19,000 is very manageable against $103,937 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.