Boston College vs Brandeis - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Boston College: 16.2% against 40.5% (Brandeis).
The more international environment is at Brandeis (19.3% international students) than Boston College (6.6%).
Real money goes to international students at Brandeis ($56,730 on average), while Boston College stops at $39,634.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Boston College lists $94,048 against $93,441 (Brandeis), but after average aid what remains is $32,295 against $35,934.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Boston College is the more selective of the two (16.19% vs 40.47% acceptance). Brandeis ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #301-400). Boston College graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $77K). Brandeis has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,957 vs $73,508 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Boston College for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Brandeis for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Boston College is more selective (16.19% vs 40.47% acceptance); Boston College has a higher median SAT (1500 vs 1460).
Boston College graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $77K); Boston College has a higher 6-year graduation rate (90.8% vs 86%).
Brandeis has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,957 vs $73,508); Boston College offers a larger average aid package ($61,753 vs $57,507).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston College | Brandeis |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 16.19% | 40.47% |
| Yield rate | 42.5% | 17.5% |
| Median SAT | 1500 | 1460 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 34,779 | 10,462 |
| International students | 6.6% | 19.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $77K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $52K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $162K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 90.8% | 86% |
| Retention rate | 96% | 87% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $25,648 |
| Tuition · year | $73,508 | $70,957 |
| Avg. aid package | $61,753 | $57,507 |
| % of need met | 100% | 94.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,892 | $27,004 |
| Application fee | - | $80 |
| Enrollment | 14,726 | 5,205 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston College or Brandeis?
It's harder to get into Boston College. Boston College accepts 16.19% of applicants, while Brandeis accepts 40.47%.
Do Boston College or Brandeis graduates earn more?
Boston College graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $77K.
How much is tuition at Boston College vs Brandeis?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,508 per year at Boston College and $70,957 per year at Brandeis.
What SAT score do you need for Boston College or Brandeis?
The median admitted SAT score is 1500 at Boston College and 1460 at Brandeis; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Boston College or Brandeis?
Brandeis ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Boston College vs #301-400 for Brandeis.
Which university offers more financial aid - Boston College or Brandeis?
The average aid package is $61,753 at Boston College and $57,507 at Brandeis.
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