Campus Identity
Boston College is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Chestnut Hill, MA. Approximately 10,085 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 16% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 11 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 38 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 50/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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At a Glance
Boston College is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Chestnut Hill, MA. Approximately 10,085 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 16% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 11 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 38 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 50/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Boston College is a 10,000–19,999, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 11 miles from Revere Beach, MA and 9 miles from Blue Hills Ski Area.
Athletics
NCAA D1
Atlantic Coast
Greek Life
Active Organizations
Fraternities & sororities present
School Size & Setting
10,000–19,999
Urban setting
Beach Access
11 miles
Revere Beach, MA
Weather
Cold Climate
44°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Boston College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Blue Hills Ski Area, 9 miles away with 4 lifts and 60 skiable acres. All are within 26 miles of campus.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Nearest Beach
Students at Boston College are 11 miles from Revere Beach, MA.
Revere Beach, MA
Ocean access within 10.6 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Chestnut Hill, MA
Chestnut Hill has a cool climate, with winters averaging 28°F in Jan and summers peaking around 74°F in Jul.
Station: JAMAICA PLAIN · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Boston College in MA earns a composite safety score of 50/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $70,702 |
| Fees | $1,176 |
| Room & Board | $18,916 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $90,794 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
125 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Boston College located?
Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA. The main campus address is 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Boston College?
Boston College has an acceptance rate of 16%, making it highly selective. Out of 35,037 applicants, 5,755 were admitted in the most recent year. 10,085 students enrolled.
What ACT score do you need for Boston College?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Boston College scored between 33 and 35 on the ACT, with a median of 34. About 15% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Boston College?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Boston College charges $70,702/year in tuition. Including room and board ($18,916/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $61,706/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $41,704/year — what students actually pay. Use Boston College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for Boston College?
The undergraduate application fee at Boston College is $80. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
Does Boston College have college sports?
Yes — Boston College competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Atlantic Coast. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.
Is Boston College the right fit for me?
Whether Boston College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (16% admit rate), avg net price ($41,704/year after aid), campus culture in Chestnut Hill, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Boston College against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Boston College directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Chestnut Hill, MA
- Size
- 10,000–19,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
- NCAA
- NCAA D1
- Conference
- Atlantic Coast
- School Year Weather
- Cold · 44°F avg
- App Fee
- $80
- On Campus Safety Score
- 50/100
- Nearest Airport
- Boston, MA (BOS) · 8 mialso OWD (10 mi), BED (11 mi)
Location
Chestnut Hill, MA