How is Boston College unique?

Boston College (BC) is unique for blending a prestigious Jesuit, liberal arts education with a strong research focus, offering a "whole person" development (cura personalis) within a vibrant campus and access to Boston's city resources, all while maintaining a close-knit, spirited community with powerful alumni connections. Its Jesuit roots emphasize service, ethical development, and rigorous academics, setting it apart from secular universities, while its location provides both a traditional campus feel and urban opportunities.

What makes Boston College unique?

The Boston College Difference

Our academic approach combines intellectual, social, ethical, and spiritual development. We challenge you to become a lifelong learner dedicated to the common good.

What makes Boston University unique?

With some 650 courses on global topics, faculty research on every continent, students from nearly 100 countries, and alumni living in over 185 of the world's countries, it's easy to see why BU ranks among the world's top universities.

Is Boston College very prestigious?

Yes, Boston College (BC) is widely considered a very prestigious university, consistently ranking among the top national universities, known for strong liberal arts, business (Carroll School of Management), and nursing programs, and recognized by employers as a "New Ivy" with excellent career outcomes. It's a selective private Jesuit university with a strong reputation for undergraduate teaching and a valuable alumni network.
 

Is BC harder to get into than BU?

While both are highly selective, Boston College (BC) often appears slightly harder to get into than Boston University (BU) based on recent acceptance rates, with BC often hovering around 15-19% and BU around 11-20%, though BU's rate dropped significantly for the Class of 2027. BC generally shows higher average SAT/ACT scores and a lower international student ratio, suggesting a highly competitive applicant pool, but ultimately, admission depends on individual fit and program strength for each university. 

Why Boston College

Is Boston College as good as an Ivy?

Boston College (BC) is a highly respected university that rivals some Ivies, often ranked near them and even labeled a "New Ivy" by Forbes due to its strong academics and employer reputation, though it's not technically an Ivy League; its strength lies in its rigorous programs, strong Jesuit tradition, and desirable career outcomes, making it a strong choice often compared to schools like Tufts or NYU, placing it just below the traditional top Ivies in some rankings but excellent overall. 

Where do top 1% send kids to College?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

Is Boston College considered a new Ivy?

Yes, Boston College (BC) has been repeatedly named a "New Ivy" by Forbes, a designation for elite, non-Ivy League schools that produce highly sought-after graduates, though specific lists vary by year and publication. Forbes highlighted BC as a top private "New Ivy" in 2024, recognizing its strong academics and the quality of its graduates preferred by employers, alongside other top private schools like Carnegie Mellon and Georgetown.
 

Is BC more expensive than BU?

It's very close, but Boston College (BC) generally has slightly higher "sticker" costs (tuition, fees, room & board) than Boston University (BU), though both are expensive private universities, with BC sometimes costing around $1,000-$2,000 more annually for total estimated costs; however, BU often provides larger average financial aid packages, meaning the net cost for many students can be similar or even lower at BU, depending on financial need and merit. 

What kind of student goes to Boston College?

The admission process at Boston College is holistic. Although we select students based on their academic talents and preparation, we desire to fill a class full of various talents and backgrounds, and seek to understand how students will contribute to the greater BC community.

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

What is the #1 university in the US?

There isn't one single #1 university in the U.S., as rankings vary by source, but Princeton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard University consistently appear at the very top, often trading #1 spots in major lists like U.S. News & World Report, Times Higher Education, and Forbes. 

What is the #1 party university in America?

According to recent rankings, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is frequently named the #1 party school in the U.S. for 2025-2026 by sources like Niche, recognized for its lively beach culture and social scene, followed by schools like Florida State University (FSU) and Tulane University. Rankings vary by publication, but UCSB consistently ranks high due to its active campus life, bars, Greek life, and overall party culture, notes Niche. 

What are the cons of Boston College?

Cons: 1. Expensive: Boston College is a private institution, and its tuition and fees can be steep. However, the school does offer financial aid packages to help offset costs.

What major is Boston College known for?

Boston College is well-known for its popular majors in Finance, Economics, and Biology, which consistently rank as the top choices for undergraduates, alongside strong programs in Political Science, Psychology, and Computer Science. BC also has highly-regarded programs in Communication, Nursing, and Liberal Arts like English, History, and Philosophy, with its business school and education programs often highlighted for their national reputation. 

Is it harder to get into BC or BU?

Which school is easier to get into? If you're looking at acceptance rate alone, then Boston College (BC) is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.

Is BC a baby ivy?

Yes, Boston College (BC) is often considered a "Little Ivy" or "Hidden Ivy" due to its high academic standards, selectivity, strong reputation, and similar elite feel, often appearing on lists alongside traditional Ivies and other top-tier private universities that employers value highly, like Duke, Notre Dame, and Georgetown. While not part of the formal Ivy League, Forbes even named BC a "New Ivy" for its strong outcomes and appeal to top employers. 

What are the 11 Little Ivies?

The Little Ivies are also sub-grouped by the following consortia: The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) members: Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Connecticut College, Hamilton, Middlebury, Trinity, Tufts, Wesleyan and Williams.

What school do billionaire kids go to?

Billionaires send their children to elite private schools, both day and boarding, like Choate Rosemary Hall, Phillips Academy Andover, and The Lawrenceville School, often referred to as "Ivy League pipelines," as well as prestigious international schools like Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland, for strong academics and connections, with some also choosing top public schools for better college admission odds. Top universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Yale remain popular choices for higher education.
 

What are the 63 hidden Ivies?

The 63 Hidden Ivies are a list of highly selective, prestigious liberal arts colleges and universities outside the traditional Ivy League, identified by educational consultants Howard and Matthew Greene for offering an Ivy-level education with strong academics, resources, and reputation, including schools like Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, Pomona, Duke, University of Chicago, and Johns Hopkins. They are grouped by region (Northeast, South, Midwest, West) and chosen for their exceptional resources, faculty, and vibrant campus life, making them excellent alternatives to the Ivies. 

Is Boston college elite?

Yes, Boston College (BC) is widely considered a prestigious university, recognized for its strong Jesuit liberal arts tradition, rigorous academics, excellent undergraduate teaching, high career outcomes, and consistent high national rankings (e.g., #36 in U.S. News 2026). It's known for producing well-rounded graduates with strong critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills, making it a top choice among selective universities.
 

What is so special about Boston College?

Boston College, the first institution of higher education to operate in the city of Boston, is today among the nation's foremost universities, a leader in the liberal arts, scientific inquiry, and student formation.

What is the easiest little ivy to get into?

The "easiest" Little Ivy to get into depends on your definition, but schools like Union College, Lafayette College, and Connecticut College generally have higher acceptance rates (around 40-50% or more) compared to highly selective ones like Williams or Amherst (often 7-10%), making them more accessible target schools for strong applicants. However, all Little Ivies are selective, so "easiest" is relative; look for schools with acceptance rates above 20-30% if you're aiming for the less exclusive end.
 

Is a degree from Boston College respected?

In terms of reputation, a degree from Boston College is highly respected and well-regarded nationally, and even internationally. Academically, BC is known for its rigorous curriculum and notable programs, particularly in the fields of business, education, nursing, and liberal arts.