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Boston College

#58 in US ranking Chestnut Hill, MA
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Boston College award
Boston College award

Cost

Cost / year
$93,039
Tuition & fees
$73,508
Avg. aid
$50,287
Receiving aid
53%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
16%
SAT range
1440–1540
ACT range
33–35

Outcomes

Graduation rate
91%
Median salary
$68,635
1 yr after graduation

What are the graduation rates for students at Boston College?

Boston College's reported six-year graduation rate is 91% for the measured first-time, full-time undergraduate cohort. The four-year rate is 86%. These measures follow an entering cohort over different periods; they do not mean that every student who leaves without graduating has permanently ended their education.

The reported first-year retention rate is 96%, meaning most students in the measured group returned for the following academic year. Graduation and retention figures are useful for assessing typical progress, but they do not describe every pathway. Transfer students, part-time students, and people who change institutions may have different experiences, and an individual's time to degree can depend on course sequencing, transferred credits, and personal circumstances.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Boston College?

College Scorecard field-of-study figures give a limited view of earnings about one year after completion, not a promised starting salary for a Boston College graduate. The reported figures include $89,714 for computer science, $74,320 for finance and financial management services, $70,146 for registered nursing, and $38,609 for biology.

These figures should be read as program-level earnings measures for the graduates included in the federal data, not as averages for everyone who studied a subject. Outcomes can vary with credential, job, location, further education, and the number of graduates represented. One-year earnings also miss later career changes and nonpay considerations. When comparing majors, students should check the College Scorecard's definition and cohort for the exact field, and consider program cost alongside earnings.

Boston College Graduation Rate

Avg. graduation
91%
4-year graduation
86%
6-year graduation
91%

Boston College Retention and Employment

First-year retention, full-time students
96%
Employed 1 year after graduation
97%

Boston College Median Alumni Salary Over Time

1 year after graduation
$68,635
4 years after graduation
$96,145
5 years after graduation
$105,665
7 years after graduation
$114,807
10 years after starting college
$112,178

Alumni Salary for Boston College Degrees

Degrees

Avg. salary

Accounting and Related Services

$69,899

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

$34,995

Biology, General

$38,609

Business Administration, Management and Operations

$66,885

Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology

$41,046

Communication and Media Studies

$49,055

Computer Science

$89,714

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

$27,539

Economics

$64,785

English Language and Literature, General

$36,672

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

$71,395

Finance and Financial Management Services

$74,320

History

$45,345

Information Science/Studies

$69,748

International/Globalization Studies

$39,636

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

$64,987

Marketing

$58,593

Mathematics

$61,790

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

$39,874

Philosophy

$51,737

Political Science and Government

$45,951

Psychology, General

$37,262

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

$70,146

Sociology

$38,212

Theological and Ministerial Studies

$40,529

Boston College Graduations Per Degree

BACHELOR’S Degree

Women Men Total

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

168398566

Social Sciences

193278471

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

209103312

Psychology

20632238

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

12448172

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

4998147

Health Professions and Related Programs

92496

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

511869

English Language and Literature/Letters

352156

Natural Resources and Conservation

331346

MASTER’S Degree

Women Men Total

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

148204352

Public Administration and Social Service Professions

24330273

Education

20863271

Psychology

861096

Social Sciences

355792

Health Professions and Related Programs

751590

Theology and Religious Vocations

355388

Mathematics and Statistics

194867

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology

222850

Philosophy and Religious Studies

101424

DOCTOR’S Degree

Women Men Total

Education

401555

Social Sciences

101121

Theology and Religious Vocations

71320

Psychology

10414

Physical Sciences

4812

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

369

Philosophy and Religious Studies

257

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

426

Public Administration and Social Service Professions

325

Health Professions and Related Programs

314

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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