Stanford vs Boston College - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Stanford admits 3.8% of applicants, while Boston College admits 16.2%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 13.1% (Stanford) against 6.6% (Boston College).
Average aid for an international student is $85,424 (Stanford) and $39,634 (Boston College).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Stanford starts at $97,545 against $94,048 and ends at $20,266 against $32,295 (Boston College).
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
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 16.19% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#2 vs #501-600). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $104K). Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,574 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 Stanford for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Boston College for: lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 16.19% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1500).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $104K); Stanford has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.9% vs 90.8%).
Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,574 vs $73,508); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $61,753).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stanford | Boston College |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #2 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #6 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.8% | 16.19% |
| Yield rate | 79.9% | 42.5% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1500 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 | - |
| Number of applications | 60,646 | 34,779 |
| International students | 13.1% | 6.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $124K | $104K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $220K | $162K |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 90.8% |
| Retention rate | 97.5% | 96% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $19,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,574 | $73,508 |
| Avg. aid package | $77,279 | $61,753 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,507 | $24,892 |
| Application fee | $100 | - |
| Enrollment | 18,121 | 14,726 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stanford or Boston College?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Stanford accepts 3.8% of applicants, while Boston College accepts 16.19%.
Do Stanford or Boston College graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $104K.
How much is tuition at Stanford vs Boston College?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,574 per year at Stanford and $73,508 per year at Boston College.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford or Boston College?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Stanford and 1500 at Boston College; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stanford or Boston College?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #2 for Stanford vs #501-600 for Boston College.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stanford or Boston College?
The average aid package is $77,279 at Stanford and $61,753 at Boston College.
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