Princeton vs Boston College - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Princeton: 4.4% against 16.2% (Boston College).
The larger international cohort belongs to Princeton: 13.1% of students against 6.6% (Boston College).
Average aid for an international student is $86,736 (Princeton) and $39,634 (Boston College).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Princeton lists $95,624 against $94,048 (Boston College), but after average aid what remains is $16,304 against $32,295.
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
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 16.19% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #501-600). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $104K). Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 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 Princeton for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 16.19% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1500).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $104K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 90.8%).
Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $73,508); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $61,753).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Boston College |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 16.19% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 42.5% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1500 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | - |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 34,779 |
| International students | 13.1% | 6.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $104K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $162K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 90.8% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 96% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $19,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $73,508 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $61,753 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $24,892 |
| Application fee | $75 | - |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 14,726 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Boston College?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Boston College accepts 16.19%.
Do Princeton or Boston College graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $104K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Boston College?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $73,508 per year at Boston College.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Boston College?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1500 at Boston College; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Boston College?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #501-600 for Boston College.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Boston College?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $61,753 at Boston College.
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