Boston College

BC’s core curriculum is a hallmark, forcing students into interdisciplinary exploration—think theology alongside philosophy and lab sciences. The most popular majors are economics (14%), biology (8%), and finance (7%), reflecting both pre-professional ambitions and the strength of the Carroll School of Management. Classes are small (average 20 students), and the liberal arts ethos means even business majors grapple with Aristotle.

• Notable programs: Top-ranked finance, psychology, and political science departments
• Core requirements: Theology, philosophy, natural science, and arts
• Student-faculty ratio: 12:1

Social life orbits around dorms, sports, and off-campus bars, with a ‘work hard, play hard’ ethos. The party scene exists but is heavily policed, pushing much of the action to Allston’s dive bars. Over 300 clubs range from a cappella groups to finance societies, and service organizations like Appalachia Volunteers are huge. Campus traditions include the Beanpot hockey tournament and Marathon Monday.

• Housing: 85% of undergrads live on campus
• Athletics: D1 hockey (a religion here) and tailgates at Alumni Stadium
• Arts: Strong theater and music programs, with frequent performances

BC’s 91% graduation rate (top 5% nationally) and 96.6% employment/grad school rate speak to its ROI. Pell Grant students graduate at rates rivaling Yale’s (95.7%), and alumni often land in finance (Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan), consulting, or top law/med schools. The average starting salary hovers around $70,000, with finance majors pulling significantly higher.

• Top employers: Deloitte, PwC, Boston Children’s Hospital
• Grad schools: Georgetown, Columbia, BC Law common destinations

At $80,000+ per year, BC is pricey, but 59% of students receive aid, with an average package of $56,400. Need-based aid?Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. covers full demonstrated need, and the MyinTuition calculator helps families estimate costs. Budget for extras like travel (up to $1,800) and Boston’s high cost of living.

• Total COA: ~$85,000 (tuition + room/board)
• Aid breakdown: 45% get grants, average $33,072
• Loans: 44% borrow, but average debt is below national avg

BC merges Jesuit values (think ‘men and women for others’) with Wall Street ambitions, creating a rare breed of ethically minded strivers. Its suburban campus feels like a cloister, but the T whisks students into Boston for internships at State Street or the MFA. The alumni network is fiercely loyal, and the hockey team’s rivalry with BU is the stuff of legend. For students who want top-tier academics without Ivy League pretension, BC delivers.