BC vs. EC

Comparable Facts

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

Boston College is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); Elmira College is in Elmira, NY (Small City setting).
• Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; Elmira College 11:1.

BC vs. EC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or EC? 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 Elmira College than BC ($23,682 vs. $32,519).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 23.1% lower than at Boston College ($14,550 vs. $18,916).
• Boston College is 81.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $31,726 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.4% higher at BC than at Elmira College (about $31,726 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Boston College (100% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 98% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($56,971 vs. $28,780).

BC vs. EC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC or EC? 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 EC and BC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston College (1490) is 250 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming BC students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 1440/1540; Elmira College 1090/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35; Elmira College 26/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; EC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than BC (16.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 12.3% at EC.

BC vs. EC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and EC? 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 Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $44,900 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 72%)

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.