BC vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 15,432 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); University of Massachusetts Boston is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1.

BC vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts Boston than BC ($17,768 vs. $32,519).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston College are 1.1% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($18,916 vs. $19,128).
• Boston College is 344.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $54,794 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.4% higher at BC than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $32,577 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at Boston College (88% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 305.7% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($56,971 vs. $14,042).

BC vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston and BC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston College (1490) is 310 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming BC students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 25 at University of Massachusetts-Boston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 1440/1540; University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35; University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than BC (16.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston.

BC vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $39,700 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $3,060 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($19,000 vs. $22,060).
• Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($196 vs. $228).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 58%)

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.