Yale vs. BC

Comparable Facts

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

Yale University is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 15,432 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Boston College is in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting).
• Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; Boston College 10:1.

Yale vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale or BC? 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 Yale University than BC ($22,408 vs. $32,519).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston College are 4.9% lower than at Yale University ($18,916 vs. $19,900).
• Boston College is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Yale (about $3,452 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at BC than at Yale University (about $3,452 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yale University than at Boston College (56% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 15.7% larger than aid received by Boston College students ($65,892 vs. $56,971).

Yale vs. BC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Yale University (1520) is 30 points higher than at BC (1490).
• Incoming Yale students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at BC (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 1470/1570; Boston College 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Boston College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; BC Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at BC (3.86).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (16.4%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 43.5% at BC.

Yale vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale and BC? 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Boston College's (91%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $27,500 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $90,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($13,500 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($139 vs. $196).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 84%)

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.