BC vs. University of Richmond

Deciding between Boston College and University of Richmond? 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
University of Richmond

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • BC Chestnut Hill, MA
  • University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA
  • Setting
  • BC Small City
  • University of Richmond Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • BC 15,432
  • University of Richmond 3,722
  • Type
  • BC Private 4 Year
  • University of Richmond Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • BC #34
  • University of Richmond #38
  • Religious Affiliation
  • BC Roman Catholic
  • University of Richmond -
  • Status
  • BC Non-profit
  • University of Richmond Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • BC
  • University of Richmond

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • BC $70,702
  • University of Richmond $65,230
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • BC $70,702
  • University of Richmond $65,230
  • Room & Board
  • BC $18,916
  • University of Richmond $17,140
  • Average Net Price
  • BC $32,519
  • University of Richmond $30,037
  • Average Grant Aid
  • BC $56,971
  • University of Richmond $51,039
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • BC 40%
  • University of Richmond 56%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • BC 35,037
  • University of Richmond 16,152
  • Admitted
  • BC 5,755
  • University of Richmond 3,585
  • Acceptance Rate
  • BC 16.4%
  • University of Richmond 22.2%
  • Enrolled
  • BC 43.5%
  • University of Richmond 23.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BC 1490
  • University of Richmond 1470
  • Typical ACT score
  • BC 34
  • University of Richmond 34
  • Average High School GPA
  • BC 3.86
  • University of Richmond 3.71
  • Typical High School Grades
  • BC A
  • University of Richmond A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • BC Elite
  • University of Richmond Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • BC Very High
  • University of Richmond Very High
  • ACT Range
  • BC 33/35
  • University of Richmond 33/35
  • SAT Range
  • BC 1440/1540
  • University of Richmond 1410/1530
  • Submit Test Scores
  • BC Test optional
  • University of Richmond Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • BC Jan 1, 2027
  • University of Richmond Jan 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • BC 10:1
  • University of Richmond 7:1
  • Popular Majors
  • BC
    • Business (24%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • University of Richmond
    • Business (30%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Foreign Languages (5%)
    • Biology (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • BC 91%
  • University of Richmond 83%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • BC $90,900
  • University of Richmond $73,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • BC 90%
  • University of Richmond 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • BC $19,000
  • University of Richmond $21,148
  • Median Loan Payment
  • BC $196
  • University of Richmond $218

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • BC 46%
  • University of Richmond 44%
  • % Women
  • BC 54%
  • University of Richmond 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • BC Medium
  • University of Richmond High
  • HBCU
  • BC No
  • University of Richmond No
  • % White
  • BC 62%
  • University of Richmond 59%
  • % Asian
  • BC 10%
  • University of Richmond 7%
  • % Black
  • BC 4%
  • University of Richmond 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • BC 10%
  • University of Richmond 7%
  • % Native American
  • BC 0%
  • University of Richmond 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • BC 0%
  • University of Richmond 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • BC 3%
  • University of Richmond 4%
  • % International
  • BC 6%
  • University of Richmond 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • BC 6%
  • University of Richmond 6%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • BC 23%
  • University of Richmond 12%
  • % Out-of-State
  • BC 69%
  • University of Richmond 77%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Boston College is larger than University of Richmond based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 3,722 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); University of Richmond is in University of Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Richmond is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; University of Richmond 7:1.

BC vs. University of Richmond Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or University of Richmond? 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 Richmond than BC ($30,037 vs. $32,519).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Richmond are 9.4% lower than at Boston College ($17,140 vs. $18,916).
  • Boston College is 8.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Richmond (about $5,472 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $65,230.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at BC than at University of Richmond (about $5,472 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $65,230.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Richmond than at Boston College (56% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 11.6% larger than aid received by University of Richmond students ($56,971 vs. $51,039).

BC vs. University of Richmond Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC or University of Richmond? 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 Richmond and BC.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston College (1490) is 20 points higher than at University of Richmond (1470).
  • Incoming BC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at University of Richmond (34).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 1440/1540; University of Richmond 1410/1530.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35; University of Richmond 33/35.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; University of Richmond - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; University of Richmond Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman BC students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at University of Richmond (3.71).
  • University of Richmond has a higher acceptance rate (22.2%) than BC (16.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 23.5% at University of Richmond.

BC vs. University of Richmond Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and University of Richmond? 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 Richmond's (83%).
  • Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $17,000 more per year than University of Richmond graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $73,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $2,148 lower median loan debt than University of Richmond graduates ($19,000 vs. $21,148).
  • Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Richmond graduates ($196 vs. $218).
  • More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Richmond students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 75%)

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.