Colleges › Massachusetts › Boston College
Boston College acceptance rate, GPA needed and real cost
Also known as BC
Boston College accepts 16% of applicants. It is a private university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, with about 10,085 undergraduates. The sticker price is $92,798 a year, but after aid the average family pays $38,930.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need for BC?
Even with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, Admitly estimates a typical applicant has about a 19% chance, so a top GPA is expected and the rest of the application decides most outcomes.
The U.S. Department of Education does not collect high school GPAs, so Admitly does not publish an "average GPA" figure. Colleges that report one do so in their own Common Data Set.
Chances of getting into Boston College by GPA
Assumes an SAT of 1475, the middle score for admitted students (tests are optional here). A higher or lower score moves these numbers. GPA is unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.
| GPA | Estimated chance |
|---|---|
| 3.0 | 2% Reach |
| 3.3 | 3% Reach |
| 3.5 | 5% Reach |
| 3.7 | 9% Reach |
| 3.9 | 15% Reach |
| 4.0 | 19% Reach |
Likely = 80% or higher, Target = 30–80%, Reach = under 30%. Course rigour, class rank, activities and AP scores all change the estimate.
Get your own chance, free
Enter your GPA, test score and state to see your chance here and at 169 other colleges, with cost after aid for your family. No sign-up needed.
Check my chancesWhat families actually pay at Boston College
Yearly cost after need-based grants, by household income. Sticker price is $92,798 a year including room and board.
| Family income | Cost per year |
|---|---|
| Under $50k | $7,300 |
| $50k – $100k | $9,600 |
| $100k – $150k | $23,600 |
| $150k – $250k | $66,700 |
| Over $250k | $72,900 |
Outcomes
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
Common questions about Boston College
What is the acceptance rate at Boston College?
Boston College admits 16% of applicants, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need to get into Boston College?
Even with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, Admitly estimates a typical applicant has about a 19% chance, so a top GPA is expected and the rest of the application decides most outcomes. This is an estimate from Admitly's admission model, not an official cutoff: course rigour, test scores, activities and essays all matter.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for Boston College?
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1440–1540 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT. Submitting scores is optional.
How much does Boston College cost after financial aid?
The sticker price is $92,798 a year including room and board, but the average family pays $38,930 after grants. Families earning under $50k pay about $7,300.
What is the graduation rate at Boston College?
90% of students finish their degree, and 96% return for a second year.
Colleges similar to Boston College
- Tufts UniversityMedford, MA · admits 11%
- Boston UniversityBoston, MA · admits 11%
- Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA · admits 5%
- Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA · admits 14%
- Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC · admits 13%
- Washington University in St. LouisSt. Louis, MO · admits 12%