BC vs. Saint Joseph's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA with Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boston College is larger than Saint Joseph's University based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 7,159 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 11:1.

BC vs. Saint Joseph's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or Saint Joseph's 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 Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia than BC ($31,205 vs. $32,519).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia are 14.1% lower than at Boston College ($16,240 vs. $18,916).
• Boston College is 32.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saint Joseph's University (about $17,442 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $53,260.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.7% higher at BC than at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia (about $17,442 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $53,260.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia than at Boston College (100% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 54.1% larger than aid received by Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia students ($56,971 vs. $36,964).

BC vs. Saint Joseph's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC or Saint Joseph's 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 Saint Joseph's University and BC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston College (1490) is 230 points higher than at Saint Joseph's University (1260).
• Incoming BC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Saint Joseph's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 1440/1540; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 1170/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; Saint Joseph's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; Saint Joseph's University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Saint Joseph's University (3.65).
• Saint Joseph's University has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than BC (16.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 14.1% at Saint Joseph's University.

BC vs. Saint Joseph's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and Saint Joseph's 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 Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia's (76%).
• Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $26,900 more per year than Saint Joseph's University graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $64,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $4,008 lower median loan debt than Saint Joseph's University graduates ($19,000 vs. $23,008).
• Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Joseph's University graduates ($196 vs. $237).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Joseph's University students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 78%)

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.