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Boston College

140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3800, USA

Boston College award
Boston College award
US ranking
position: 475
Tuition & fees per year: $73,568
Acceptance rate: 16.00%
Median alumni salary: $61,773
Avg. SAT and ACT: 1475 SAT, 34 ACT
Entrance difficulty: Hard

What does Boston College offer in terms of athletics?

Boston College provides a comprehensive athletics program that competes at the NCAA Division I level, primarily within the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The university fields a variety of men's and women's sports teams, offering students numerous opportunities to participate in competitive collegiate athletics. Sports include basketball, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, and rowing, among others.

Student-athletes benefit from extensive training facilities and dedicated support staff, helping to balance academic and athletic commitments effectively. The college emphasizes the importance of teamwork, discipline, and leadership through its athletic programs.

Fans and students have access to games and events on campus, fostering a strong community spirit and school pride. Athletic scholarships are available for talented individuals who meet the academic and athletic criteria set by the institution.

What student groups and Associations are available at Boston College?

Boston College offers a variety of student groups and associations catering to diverse interests and communities. Among these are the Undergraduate Government of Boston College and the individual School Senates, which provide avenues for student representation and governance. For those interested in cultural engagement, the Asian Caucus stands out as a dedicated group. Volunteerism and social impact are represented through organizations such as Appalachia Volunteers and 4Boston, enabling students to participate in community service initiatives. Additionally, Dance Marathon offers a platform for students to unite around charitable causes while engaging in campus life activities.

Who studies at Boston College?

Boston College hosts a diverse student body with a considerable number of new enrollees each year. The institution welcomed 2,335 freshmen recently, placing it among the top 20% of colleges in terms of freshman class size. Transfer students are fewer, numbering 134, reflecting an average intake in this category. Overall, the total new student population stands at 2,469, which ranks Boston College within the top 35% nationally for incoming students.

The age distribution of Boston College's students reveals a wide range, particularly among undergraduates and graduate students. Most undergraduates fall between 18 and 21 years old, with 4,429 aged 18-19 and 4,753 aged 20-21. Graduate students tend to be older, predominantly between 22 and 39, with notable numbers in the 22-24 (1,725), 25-29 (1,821), and 30-34 (751) age brackets. This indicates the college serves both traditional-age college students as well as a substantial population of older graduate students.

Diversity in ethnicity at Boston College reflects varied representation. White students form the largest group with 5,557 individuals, placing the institution in the top 25% for this demographic. Hispanic students number 1,211, aligning with a median national range, while Asian students total 1,100, ranking in the top 35%. African American students count 480, positioning this group slightly below the median. Additionally, students identifying with two or more races amount to 503, a relatively strong showing that ranks within the top 30% for multiracial representation.

Smaller groups include Native American students (4), Pacific Islanders (7), and those whose ethnicity is unknown or unreported (153). These figures suggest moderate representation across less common ethnic categories, consistent with typical patterns in many U. S. universities.

How does student life look like at Boston College?

Boston College offers a vibrant campus life supported by a wide range of extracurricular activities and resources. The university's 274-acre campus provides ample space for cultural and artistic engagement, including opportunities to participate in campus drama, radio, band, chorus, and television. A student newspaper is also part of the community, fostering campus communication and involvement.

Support services available to students include a health clinic, psychological counseling, a veterans affairs office, and a women's center, reflecting a commitment to student well-being and inclusivity. However, legal services are not provided on campus.

With a total enrollment of over 14,700 students, and a favorable student-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, students can expect a relatively personal academic environment. The presence of numerous full-time degree-seeking students of both genders adds to the dynamic campus atmosphere. Boston College attracts a diverse student body from 64 countries, enhancing its cultural richness.

What libraries are available to students at Boston College?

Boston College offers a very extensive library system, anchored by the Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. Library. The university has a total of nine libraries, placing it in the top 5% nationally for such resources. Beyond the main library, there are eight other specialized libraries, also ranked in the top 5% for availability.

Students at Boston College have access to an impressive collection of over 3.3 million physical books, which again ranks in the top 5% among institutions. The libraries boast more than 44,000 subscriptions, which places them in the top 20%, alongside a substantial number of over 1.3 million ebooks, also in the top 20% nationally.

These resources support both physical and digital access, with the campus libraries providing all-day access and dedicated study rooms. Staff trained to assist students are on hand, and the facilities include established operating hours and access to shared collections, reinforcing comprehensive support for academic research and study needs.

Boston College Student Life for 2026

Total enrollment

14726

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

2394

Member of Athletic Associations

Data not available

Total staff

891 full time, 583 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

Boston College Library Services and Resources

Main library name

Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. Library

Number of libraries on campus

9

Reservable study rooms in library

Yes

24h access

Yes

Physical facilities

Yes

Access to digital/electronic resources

Yes

Staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Yes

Established library hours

Yes

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions

Yes

Boston College Computer Labs Access

  • 24h access
  • Help desk

Boston College Student Life Enrollment Statistics

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshman
Transfer

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Boston College Location & Map