BC Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Chestnut Hill, MA
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BC Admission Overview
BC admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Massachusetts. Last year BC admitted 16.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1440-1540 / ACT 33-35. BC is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
BC is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
BC Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very High
Admission difficulty for Boston College
Acceptance Rate
The BC acceptance rate is 16.4%. Last year, only 5,755 of 35,037 applicants were admitted. That is the 9th lowest acceptance rate in Massachusetts and the 60th lowest in the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into BC and can you get accepted?
BC is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.
Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 43% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
BC GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Estimated High School GPA CollegeSimply estimate of incoming freshman GPA on a 4.0 scale.
3.86*Typical High School Grades Letter grade for the estimated average, not a cutoff.
AEstimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.86*
Average GPA
BC has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.86 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.86 GPA does not by itself determine admission. BC is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.
*3.86 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.
BC Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Boston College is test-optional. Students who withhold SAT or ACT scores receive full consideration; students who complete those tests are encouraged to submit scores. Applicants may self-report; enrolled students must send official reports for all self-reported scores at matriculation. The policy covers international and home-schooled applicants; home-schooled students are strongly encouraged to submit scores. Boston College superscores the SAT and ACT and does not require ACT science.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/admission/apply/test-optional.html/
BC SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1440-1540Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
30%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 710
- Math 730
- Composite 1440
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 760
- Math 780
- Composite 1540
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at BC typically score around a 1490 SAT (middle 50% 1440–1540) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. BC ranks #8 in the state of Massachusetts and #43 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1440 to 1540
Matching last year's 1440–1540 range does not by itself determine admission.
SAT policy
BC is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1490 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
BC ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
33-35Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
15%25th Percentile Scores
- English 34
- Math 30
- Composite 33
75th Percentile Scores
- English 35
- Math 34
- Composite 35
Average ACT
Incoming testers at BC typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 33–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. BC places #4 among colleges in Massachusetts and #16 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 33 to 35
Landing in last year's 33–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.
ACT policy
You may apply to BC without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
86% of Boston College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the BC chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Boston College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 1, 2027Days left to Apply
123Applicants have 123 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Boston College is $80.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
BC is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 16.4% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1440-1540); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Boston College often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=164924.
GPA calculator: Boston College GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026