BC vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Boston College is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; Vassar College 7:1.

BC vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or Vassar? 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 Vassar College than BC ($29,981 vs. $32,519).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 3.6% lower than at Boston College ($18,240 vs. $18,916).
• Vassar College is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $328 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $70,702.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Vassar than at Boston College (about $328 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $70,702.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vassar College than at Boston College (55% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 0.8% larger than aid received by Boston College students ($57,443 vs. $56,971).

BC vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 10 points higher than at BC (1490).
• Incoming BC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vassar (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 1440/1540; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BC students have the same average high school GPA (3.86) as students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than BC (16.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

BC vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and Vassar? 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).

• The graduation rate at BC is the same as at Vassar College (91% vs. 91%).
• Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $32,500 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $3,220 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($15,780 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($163 vs. $196).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BC students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 90%)

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.