Boston college vs Harvard — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.6% vs 16.4% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #1). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($104K vs $102K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($61,676 vs $70,702 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 graduate earnings.
Choose Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.6% vs 16.4% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1507).
Boston college graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $102K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 90.8%).
Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($61,676 vs $70,702); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $61,753).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston college | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #1 |
| Rank · THE | — | #3 |
| Acceptance rate | 16.4% | 3.6% |
| Yield rate | 42.5% | 83.6% |
| Median SAT | 1507 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 4.20 |
| Number of applications | 34,779 | 54,008 |
| International students | 12% | 25% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $102K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $139K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $162K | $200K |
| Graduation rate | 90.8% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 96% | 98% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $70,702 | $61,676 |
| Avg. aid package | $61,753 | $74,387 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,892 | $22,262 |
| Application fee | — | $85 |
| Enrollment | 14,726 | 21,189 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston college or Harvard?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Boston college accepts 16.4% of applicants, while Harvard accepts 3.6%.
Do Boston college or Harvard graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal — 10 years after enrollment, the median is $104K at Boston college and $102K at Harvard.
How much is tuition at Boston college vs Harvard?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,702 per year at Boston college and $61,676 per year at Harvard.
What SAT score do you need for Boston college or Harvard?
The median admitted SAT score is 1507 at Boston college and 1553 at Harvard; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Boston college or Harvard?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Boston college vs #1 for Harvard.
Which university offers more financial aid — Boston college or Harvard?
The average aid package is $61,753 at Boston college and $74,387 at Harvard.
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