Boston College vs Babson College

Boston College and Babson College, both esteemed institutions in Massachusetts, offer distinct educational experiences. Boston College, a Jesuit research university, boasts a lower acceptance rate (26%) compared to Babson's (30%). While Boston College excels in liberal arts and sciences, Babson is renowned for its business and entrepreneurship programs. Boston College's diverse student body comprises 9,300 undergraduates, while Babson's smaller community fosters closer connections among its 2,300 undergraduates. With a higher graduation rate (91%) and a larger alumni network, Boston College may provide broader post-graduate opportunities. Babson, however, offers a more specialized education, preparing students for careers in business and management. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which college aligns better with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Babson College logo

Babson College

Boston College logo

Boston College

Overview

Location Wellesley, Massachusetts Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Campus setting Suburb: Large City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 94.0% 95.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation Catholic

Admission

Acceptance rate 25.4% 19.0%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $75

Graduate: $100
Undergraduate: $80

Graduate: $75
SAT range 1330 - 1480 1420 - 1530
ACT range 30 - 33 33 - 34
Students submitting SAT score 34.0% 30.0%
Students submitting ACT score 14.0% 20.0%
Total number of applicants 7,104 39,846
Total number of admissions given out 1,801 7,587
Admitted students who chose to enroll 650 2,516
Yield rate 36.1% 33.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $76,360 $76,606
Average net price $29,105 $30,159
Tuition $54,944 $60,530
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $11,910

Meal plan: $6,324
Room/dormitory: $9,780

Meal plan: $5,822
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

50.0%
Average amount $42,890
39.0%
Average amount $48,693
Students receiving federal student loan 30.0%
Average amount $3,892
33.0%
Average amount $3,579
Students taking out private loans 8.0%
Average amount $24,863
0.0%
Average amount $2,200

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,576
Men 56.9% Women 43.1%
9,955
Men 47.1% Women 52.9%
Graduate students 1,108
Men 58.1% Women 41.9%
5,622
Men 42.2% Women 57.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students 30.8% 12.4%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Large City: Small
Dormitory capacity 1,988 7,602
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Legal Profession
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 14:1
Institutional accreditation New England Commission on Higher Education New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 93.7% 90.8%
Dropout rate 6.1% 2.5%
Transferred out N/A 6.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $114,003
  • Year 2: $103,078
  • Year 3: $118,620
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,039
  • Year 2: $61,600
  • Year 3: $76,406
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,923
  • Year 2: $67,101
  • Year 3: N/A
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $90,012
  • Year 2: $117,572
  • Year 3: $142,311
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $99,514
  • Year 2: $115,060
  • Year 3: $137,599
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $114,055
  • Year 2: $111,435
  • Year 3: $126,491
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $89,485
  • Year 2: $93,588
  • Year 3: $114,789
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $92,426
  • Year 2: $100,439
  • Year 3: $112,343
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $89,714
  • Year 2: $84,100
  • Year 3: $105,872
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $74,320
  • Year 2: $75,518
  • Year 3: $94,626
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,748
  • Year 2: $76,460
  • Year 3: $90,750
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,899
  • Year 2: $69,937
  • Year 3: $82,416
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,785
  • Year 2: $69,069
  • Year 3: $77,978

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the primary academic focuses of Boston College and Babson College?

    Boston College (BC) is a comprehensive university with a strong emphasis on the liberal arts, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields like humanities, social sciences, sciences, and professional schools (law, business, nursing, etc.). Babson College, on the other hand, is exclusively focused on business and entrepreneurship. Its curriculum is highly specialized in these areas, providing students with practical skills and a strong entrepreneurial mindset.

  • How does the campus environment differ between Boston College and Babson College?

    Boston College boasts a classic, collegiate Gothic architecture and a traditional campus feel, fostering a strong sense of community and school spirit. It's located in a suburban setting with easy access to the city of Boston. Babson College has a more modern campus, designed to encourage collaboration and innovation. It's also located in a suburban area, but its focus is on creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem within its campus.

  • What is the student body like at Boston College versus Babson College?

    Boston College attracts a diverse student body with a broad range of interests. Students are often drawn to BC for its strong academics, campus traditions, and social scene. Babson College students are typically highly motivated, entrepreneurial-minded individuals. They are often focused on starting their own businesses or pursuing careers in business and finance. The student body is generally smaller and more tightly knit than at BC.

  • How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

    Both colleges offer robust career services. Boston College's career services support students across a wide range of industries, leveraging its extensive alumni network. Babson College's career services are specifically tailored to business and entrepreneurship, with a strong emphasis on helping students launch their own ventures or secure internships and jobs in the business world. Babson's focus on entrepreneurship often leads to unique internship and venture creation opportunities.

  • What are the strengths of Boston College?

    Boston College excels in its strong academics across various disciplines, its vibrant campus life and traditions, its Jesuit values that emphasize service and community, and its location with easy access to Boston's cultural and professional opportunities. It also has a well-regarded law school and other professional programs.

  • What are the strengths of Babson College?

    Babson College is renowned for its top-ranked entrepreneurship programs, its hands-on, practical approach to business education, its strong focus on innovation and venture creation, its tight-knit community of entrepreneurial students and alumni, and its global perspective on business.

  • How does the cost of attendance compare?

    The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is generally comparable between Boston College and Babson College. However, specific financial aid packages can vary depending on individual circumstances. It's recommended to check the financial aid websites of both institutions for the most up-to-date information and to compare your potential aid packages.

  • Which college is better for someone interested in a traditional liberal arts education?

    Boston College is the clear choice for students seeking a traditional liberal arts education. While BC also has strong business programs, its core curriculum and overall academic structure are rooted in the liberal arts.

  • Which college is better for someone who wants to start their own business?

    Babson College is the ideal choice for students with entrepreneurial aspirations. Its curriculum, resources, and network are specifically designed to support students in launching and growing their own ventures.

  • How does the social scene differ between the two colleges?

    Boston College has a more traditional college social scene, with a strong emphasis on campus events, sports, and Greek life. Babson College's social scene is more focused on entrepreneurial activities, networking events, and collaborative projects. While there are social events, the emphasis is less on traditional college parties and more on building professional connections and pursuing business ventures.

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