Harvard vs Boston College - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Harvard: 3.6% against 16.2% (Boston College).
The share of international students differs sharply: 15.7% (Harvard) against 6.6% (Boston College).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Harvard awards international students $81,046 on average, Boston College awards $39,634.
On paper the cheaper option is Harvard: $64,796 against $73,508, which is $8,712 less a year.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 16.19% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #501-600). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($102K vs $104K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 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 Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Boston College for: higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 16.19% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1500).
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 ($64,796 vs $73,508); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $61,753).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | Boston College |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 16.19% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 42.5% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1500 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | - |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 34,779 |
| International students | 15.7% | 6.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $104K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $162K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 90.8% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 96% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $19,000 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $73,508 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $61,753 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $24,892 |
| Application fee | $85 | - |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 14,726 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or Boston College?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while Boston College accepts 16.19%.
Do Harvard or Boston College graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $102K at Harvard and $104K at Boston College.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs Boston College?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $73,508 per year at Boston College.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Boston College?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1500 at Boston College; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or Boston College?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #501-600 for Boston College.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or Boston College?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $61,753 at Boston College.
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