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Colleges / Boston College

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate19%
Acceptance Rate19%

BC Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Boston College was $62,950 a year.

Tuition increased 4% in 2022–from $60,530 the prior year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams seem daunting, remember, the advertized cost of tuition doesn't always tell the full story. Many students pay much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Plus, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until after graduation.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Boston College

Boston College is a private, religious institution, which means it has the same tuition for students from Massachusetts as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to confirm your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Massachusetts colleges

Tuition for International Students at Boston College

BC has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or BC-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities..


Boston College Room, Board, Fees, and More


In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at BC.

Room and Board Costs at BC

Room and board at BC is $16,120 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat in the BC's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at BC

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer ways for students with demonstrated need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at BC

The total cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city might be pricey, but cities may offer more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. Boston Collegeis located in a suburban setting in Massachusetts, not far from Boston.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to take into account personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.


Total Tuition and Expenses at Boston College


Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of how much students can expect to shell out for BC.

Total Cost of BC

What will the cost of attending BC be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $62,950
Room and Board $16,120
Other expenses $1,900

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $83,446
Off-Campus $65,426

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Financial Aid at Boston College


In 2022, 3,840 of the 9,532 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. BC meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $47,912 a year. Around 45% of BC undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. BC graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $23,247 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $16,535
State Loans $8,456
Private Loans $29,420
Most Common Loans for BC Students
Federal Loans 43%
State loans 0.4%
Private loans 11%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on BC financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Boston College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, BC awarded 3,437 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $160.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $10.79 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Boston College

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for BC students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at BC was $47,912 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of BC seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $35,534
Off-Campus $17,514

What will attending BC really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the BC's net cost calculator on their website.

Boston College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

BC offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Boston College Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

BC has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.


Learn More About Boston College


To learn more about BC, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Connect with other students, parents, and admissions professionals to learn more about about BC in the College Confidential forums

BC Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$79,268

In State

$79,268

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$60,530
$60,530
Fees
$1,176
$1,176
Housing
$16,312
$16,312
Books
$1,250
$1,250

BC Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

36%

Average Financial Aid Package

$49,580

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

15,046

Campus Setting

Suburban

Acceptance Rate

19%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$61,706

Out-of-State

$61,706

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Jan 1
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