What's unique about Boston College?

Boston College (BC) specializes in strong programs like Economics, Finance, Biology, Computer Science, and Speech/Rhetoric, reflecting its Jesuit liberal arts foundation and connection to Boston's tech/biotech hub, attracting high-achieving students recognized as "New Ivies" for rigorous academics and value. Key strengths are in its Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences, business, and deep focus on ethics and integrated learning, with top-tier rankings in teaching and value.

What makes Boston College so special?

Rigorous and Innovative Academic Programs

Through an innovative core curriculum, Boston College students are taught by committed faculty invested in their success. Boston College students can take advantage of over 50 fields of study through 8 schools and colleges.

What is a fun fact about Boston College?

Founded as a Jesuit school, Boston College is the oldest Catholic university in the Boston area. While it has become a prestigious research university, it has kept its original name, to remember its liberal arts roots (and to avoid further confusion with Boston University).

What does Boston College specialize in?

Boston College Majors

• Economics, General. 14%
• Biology/Biological Sciences, General. 8%
• Finance, General. 7%
• Speech Communication and Rhetoric. 7%
• Computer Science. 6%

What is the #1 ranked College in America?

There's no single "number 1" college, as rankings vary by publication, but Princeton University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consistently appear at or near the top in major lists like U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, and Wall Street Journal for overall National Universities, often swapping the top spot depending on the year and methodology used. Other top contenders frequently include Harvard, Stanford, and Yale. 

What's the difference between BU and BC?

Is BC a baby ivy?

Yes, Boston College (BC) is often considered a "New Ivy" or a "Hidden Ivy," recognized for providing an education and career outcomes comparable to the traditional Ivy League, attracting top students, and being highly regarded by employers, even though it's not an original Ivy League school. It appears on lists like Forbes' 2024 "New Ivies" list and in Hidden Ivies guides, signifying its elite status and strong performance in the academic and professional worlds.
 

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 are 5 interesting facts about Boston?

Discover the magic of Boston and embark on a historical “Transportainment®” adventure!

• Boston is named after a town in England. ...
• Boston built America's first subway in 1897. ...
• The oldest public park in the USA is in Boston. ...
• The Fig Newton was named after a Boston suburb. ...
• The first Dunkin' Donuts was located near Boston.

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. 

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. 

What is the motto of Boston College?

Ever to Excel. The University's well-known motto points to excellence in all things as a central aspiration guiding the work of Boston College.

Is it harder to get into Boston College or Notre Dame?

Generally, the University of Notre Dame is harder to get into than Boston College, based on lower acceptance rates and higher average test scores, making Notre Dame a more selective "reach" school, though both are highly competitive selective universities. While Notre Dame's acceptance rate hovers around 15-18%, BC's is slightly higher (around 16-27% depending on the year), but both demand strong academics, leadership, and service commitment. 

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. 

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.
 

What is the best major at Boston College?

Most popular majors at BC

Finance, with 1,525 majors, is the top field of study at BC for the third year in a row, having supplanted economics (1,340), which had been ranked first from 2012-2022.

What is Boston most famous for?

Boston is best known for its deep American Revolutionary history (Freedom Trail, Boston Tea Party), world-class education (Harvard, MIT), iconic sports teams (Red Sox, Celtics), distinct culture (Irish heritage, Beacon Hill), and famous foods (Boston Cream Pie, seafood). It blends historic cobblestone streets with modern innovation, serving as a hub for biotech, medicine, and finance, while also boasting beautiful parks like the Boston Common.
 

Is $70,000 enough to live in Boston?

Yes, $70k is enough to live in Boston as a single person, but it requires careful budgeting, prioritizing roommates, and using public transit to manage high housing costs, making it tight for comfort but feasible for survival and modest savings, though not ideal for thriving without roommates. Living alone on this salary will be very challenging, with little left over after essentials like rent (which can easily eat up half your take-home pay). 

What is so unique about Boston?

Boston's many firsts include the nation's first public park (Boston Common, 1634), the first public school (Boston Latin School, 1635), and the first subway system (Tremont Street subway, 1897).

Why is Boston College so popular?

Boston College (BC) is popular for its "best of both worlds" blend of a traditional, beautiful campus with easy access to the vibrant city of Boston, strong Jesuit academics focused on holistic development, excellent athletics (especially hockey), and a close-knit, spirited community with a powerful alumni network, preparing students for successful careers. 

Where do top 1% send kids to College?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

Is Boston College a baby Ivy?

Yes, Boston College (BC) is often considered a "New Ivy" or a "Hidden Ivy," recognized for providing an education and career outcomes comparable to the traditional Ivy League, attracting top students, and being highly regarded by employers, even though it's not an original Ivy League school. It appears on lists like Forbes' 2024 "New Ivies" list and in Hidden Ivies guides, signifying its elite status and strong performance in the academic and professional worlds.
 

What are the top 3 Ivies?

The top 3 Ivy League schools often cited are Princeton University, Harvard University, and Yale University, commonly referred to as "The Big Three," though rankings fluctuate, with Columbia and UPenn frequently challenging for top spots in various assessments. These rankings vary slightly depending on the source (like U.S. News) and specific metrics, but Princeton, Harvard, and Yale consistently appear at the top. 

Is Yale or Vanderbilt harder to get into?

Yale is generally harder to get into than Vanderbilt, with significantly lower acceptance rates (often in the 3-5% range for recent years compared to Vanderbilt's 6-9% range), placing Yale firmly in the most selective category alongside other Ivies, while Vanderbilt is also extremely selective but slightly less so, though both are top-tier, highly competitive universities. Both schools require exceptional academic profiles, but Yale's Ivy League status and overall lower admissions numbers make it the tougher get based on acceptance rates alone, though the specific difficulty for any applicant depends on their individual strengths.