BC vs. Clark University

Deciding between Boston College and Clark University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Boston College
Clark University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • BC Chestnut Hill, MA
  • Clark University Worcester, MA
  • Setting
  • BC Small City
  • Clark University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • BC 15,432
  • Clark University 3,925
  • Type
  • BC Private 4 Year
  • Clark University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • BC #34
  • Clark University #148
  • Religious Affiliation
  • BC Roman Catholic
  • Clark University -
  • Status
  • BC Non-profit
  • Clark University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • BC
  • Clark University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • BC $70,702
  • Clark University $58,867
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • BC $70,702
  • Clark University $58,867
  • Room & Board
  • BC $18,916
  • Clark University $12,500
  • Average Net Price
  • BC $32,519
  • Clark University $33,865
  • Average Grant Aid
  • BC $56,971
  • Clark University $34,667
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • BC 40%
  • Clark University 99%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • BC 35,037
  • Clark University 11,452
  • Admitted
  • BC 5,755
  • Clark University 4,528
  • Acceptance Rate
  • BC 16.4%
  • Clark University 39.5%
  • Enrolled
  • BC 43.5%
  • Clark University 10.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BC 1490
  • Clark University 1370
  • Typical ACT score
  • BC 34
  • Clark University 31
  • Average High School GPA
  • BC 3.86
  • Clark University 3.69
  • Typical High School Grades
  • BC A
  • Clark University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • BC Elite
  • Clark University Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • BC Very High
  • Clark University Low
  • ACT Range
  • BC 33/35
  • Clark University 30/33
  • SAT Range
  • BC 1440/1540
  • Clark University 1288/1460
  • Submit Test Scores
  • BC Test optional
  • Clark University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • BC Jan 1, 2027
  • Clark University Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • BC 10:1
  • Clark University 8:1
  • Popular Majors
  • BC
    • Business (24%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Clark University
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Psychology (17%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Communication (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • BC 91%
  • Clark University 80%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • BC $90,900
  • Clark University $50,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • BC 90%
  • Clark University 82%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • BC $19,000
  • Clark University $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • BC $196
  • Clark University $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • BC 46%
  • Clark University 48%
  • % Women
  • BC 54%
  • Clark University 52%
  • Racial Diversity
  • BC Medium
  • Clark University High
  • HBCU
  • BC No
  • Clark University No
  • % White
  • BC 62%
  • Clark University 57%
  • % Asian
  • BC 10%
  • Clark University 7%
  • % Black
  • BC 4%
  • Clark University 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • BC 10%
  • Clark University 7%
  • % Native American
  • BC 0%
  • Clark University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • BC 0%
  • Clark University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • BC 3%
  • Clark University 2%
  • % International
  • BC 6%
  • Clark University 15%
  • % Unknown Race
  • BC 6%
  • Clark University 8%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • BC 23%
  • Clark University 33%
  • % Out-of-State
  • BC 69%
  • Clark University 59%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • BC Yes
  • Clark University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • BC No
  • Clark University No
  • Meal Plan
  • BC Yes
  • Clark University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • BC No
  • Clark University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • BC Yes
  • Clark University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA with Clark University in Worcester, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boston College is larger than Clark University based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 3,925 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); Clark University is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clark University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; Clark University 8:1.

BC vs. Clark University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or Clark University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Boston College than Clark University ($32,519 vs. $33,865).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark University are 33.9% lower than at Boston College ($12,500 vs. $18,916).
  • Boston College is 20.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clark University (about $11,835 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $58,867.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 20.1% higher at BC than at Clark University (about $11,835 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $58,867.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clark University than at Boston College (99% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 64.3% larger than aid received by Clark University students ($56,971 vs. $34,667).

BC vs. Clark University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC or Clark University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Clark University and BC.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston College (1490) is 120 points higher than at Clark University (1370).
  • Incoming BC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Clark University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 1440/1540; Clark University 1288/1460.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35; Clark University 30/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; Clark University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; Clark University Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Clark University (3.69).
  • Clark University has a higher acceptance rate (39.5%) than BC (16.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 10.7% at Clark University.

BC vs. Clark University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and Clark University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Boston College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Clark University's (80%).
  • Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $40,800 more per year than Clark University graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $50,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Clark University graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clark University graduates ($196 vs. $279).
  • More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clark University students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.