Notre Dame vs Boston College - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Notre Dame: 11.3% against 16.2% (Boston College).
Average aid for an international student is $62,803 (Notre Dame) and $39,634 (Boston College).
The tuition gap is $5,901 a year: $67,607 (Notre Dame) against $73,508.
The SAT profile is practically identical (1510 against 1500), so a test score will not tip the balance either way.
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
Notre Dame is the more selective of the two (11.3% vs 16.19% acceptance). Notre Dame 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 $100K). Notre Dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,607 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 Notre Dame for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Boston College for: higher graduate earnings, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Notre Dame is more selective (11.3% vs 16.19% acceptance); Notre Dame has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1500).
Boston College graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $100K); Notre Dame has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95% vs 90.8%).
Notre Dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,607 vs $73,508); Notre Dame offers a larger average aid package ($67,855 vs $61,753).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Notre Dame | Boston College |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.3% | 16.19% |
| Yield rate | 61.7% | 42.5% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1500 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 29,942 | 34,779 |
| International students | 7.5% | 6.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $100K | $104K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $162K |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 90.8% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 96% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $19,000 |
| Tuition · year | $67,607 | $73,508 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,855 | $61,753 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,400 | $24,892 |
| Application fee | $85 | - |
| Enrollment | 13,042 | 14,726 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Notre Dame or Boston College?
It's harder to get into Notre Dame. Notre Dame accepts 11.3% of applicants, while Boston College accepts 16.19%.
Do Notre Dame or Boston College graduates earn more?
Boston College graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $100K.
How much is tuition at Notre Dame vs Boston College?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,607 per year at Notre Dame and $73,508 per year at Boston College.
What SAT score do you need for Notre Dame or Boston College?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Notre Dame and 1500 at Boston College; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Notre Dame or Boston College?
Notre Dame ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Notre Dame vs #501-600 for Boston College.
Which university offers more financial aid - Notre Dame or Boston College?
The average aid package is $67,855 at Notre Dame and $61,753 at Boston College.
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