Kansas vs Boston College - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Boston College admits 16.2% of applications, Kansas admits 93.5%.
Real money goes to international students at Boston College ($39,634 on average), while Kansas stops at $11,164.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Kansas: $30,432 against $73,508, or $43,076 less a year.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Boston College: $104K against $62K.
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
Boston College is the more selective of the two (16.19% vs 93.48% acceptance). Kansas ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #501-600). Boston College graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $62K). Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 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 Kansas for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition.
Choose Boston College for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Boston College is more selective (16.19% vs 93.48% acceptance); Boston College has a higher median SAT (1500 vs 1190).
Boston College graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $62K); Boston College has a higher 6-year graduation rate (90.8% vs 68.8%).
Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $73,508); Boston College offers a larger average aid package ($61,753 vs $19,700).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Kansas | Boston College |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 93.48% | 16.19% |
| Yield rate | 25.5% | 42.5% |
| Median SAT | 1190 | 1500 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.68 | - |
| Number of applications | 22,363 | 34,779 |
| International students | 3.1% | 6.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $104K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $40K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $162K |
| Graduation rate | 68.8% | 90.8% |
| Retention rate | 86% | 96% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $19,000 |
| Tuition · year | $30,432 | $73,508 |
| Avg. aid package | $19,700 | $61,753 |
| % of need met | 78.6% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,212 | $24,892 |
| Application fee | $40 | - |
| Enrollment | 29,792 | 14,726 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Kansas or Boston College?
It's harder to get into Boston College. Kansas accepts 93.48% of applicants, while Boston College accepts 16.19%.
Do Kansas or Boston College graduates earn more?
Boston College graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Kansas vs Boston College?
Sticker-price tuition is $30,432 per year at Kansas and $73,508 per year at Boston College.
What SAT score do you need for Kansas or Boston College?
The median admitted SAT score is 1190 at Kansas and 1500 at Boston College; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Kansas or Boston College?
Kansas ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Kansas vs #501-600 for Boston College.
Which university offers more financial aid - Kansas or Boston College?
The average aid package is $19,700 at Kansas and $61,753 at Boston College.
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