Boston College

    Chestnut Hill, MA · Private non-profit · Doctoral / R1 research university

    SAT middle 50% (admitted students)
    1440–1540
    Median ~1490
    Acceptance rate
    16%
    Enrollment
    10,085
    ACT middle 50%
    33–35

    How Boston College compares

    • The ~1490 SAT midpoint ranks #12 of 197 US colleges with published SAT ranges in this snapshot and #2 of 11 in MA.
    • Its 16% acceptance rate is more selective than 90% of the 197 colleges in the same ranked pool.
    • Reported section midpoints skew 20 points toward Math (750 Math vs 730 Reading and Writing).
    • Median earnings 10 years after entry ($103,937) are $40,871 above the $63,066 median across that pool.
    National SAT rank
    #12 of 197
    SAT rank in MA
    #2 of 11
    More selective than
    90% of ranked colleges
    Earnings vs national median
    +$40,871

    What the numbers say about Boston College

    • The reported middle 50% spans 100 points, from 1440 to 1540. A planning score near or above 1580 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
    • The reported section midpoints are 730 Reading and Writing and 750 Math. Use the lower section as the first place to look for recoverable points in your own score split.
    • The Scorecard snapshot reports a 16% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
    • Reported outcomes include a 91% completion rate and $103,937 in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.
    Understand a 1490 SAT scorePlan for a 1600Verify current admissions policy

    Tuition and outcomes

    Tuition (in-state)
    $70,702
    Tuition (out-of-state)
    $70,702
    Median earnings 10 years after entry
    $103,937
    4-year completion rate (150% time)
    91%

    Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; repository snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.

    How your SAT score lines up

    The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1440 and 1540. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.

    • 1580 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range.
    • 1540 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
    • 1490 SAT (median): Within the upper half of the reported range.
    • 1440 SAT (reported 25th percentile): Within the lower half of the reported range.
    At or above 1540

    Strong relative score

    At the upper end of the reported range. Consider submitting if the current policy accepts scores.

    1440–1530

    Within the reported range

    Compare your exact position, section split, and the rest of your academic record.

    Below 1440

    Below the reported range

    Check the current testing policy before deciding whether to withhold the score or retake.

    Compare to other colleges →

    Colleges with similar SAT scores

    Ranked by proximity to Boston College's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.

    Scroll horizontally to view all columns →

    CollegeLocationSAT middle 50%Acceptance rate
    Grinnell CollegeGrinnell, IA1410–154015%
    Washington and Lee UniversityLexington, VA1430–154014%
    University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA1450–155010%
    Boston UniversityBoston, MA1420–153011%
    University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville, VA1410–154017%
    Rhode Island School of DesignProvidence, RI1400–153019%

    FAQs

    What SAT score do I need for Boston College?

    Boston College's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1440–1540, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1580 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.

    What is Boston College's acceptance rate?

    Boston College's most recently reported acceptance rate is approximately 16%.

    How much does it cost to attend Boston College?

    Published tuition is approximately $70,702 per year (excludes room, board, fees).

    Is Boston College test-optional?

    Many US universities adjusted test policies after 2020. Check Boston College's admissions page for current test-optional, test-required, or test-flexible policy.

    Official site: www.bc.edu