Boston College vs Salve Regina University

Boston College and Salve Regina University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Boston College, a Jesuit research university, boasts a lower acceptance rate, larger student body, and more diverse range of majors. Salve Regina, a Catholic liberal arts university, offers a more intimate learning environment, with a higher acceptance rate and smaller class sizes. Both universities excel in preparing students for successful careers, with strong graduation rates and alumni networks. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover the nuances that set these two universities apart and make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Boston College	Salve Regina University
Overview
Location	Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts	Newport, Rhode Island
Campus setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
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	95.0%	83.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	19.0%	73.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $75	$50
SAT range	1420 - 1530	N/A
ACT range	33 - 34	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	30.0%
Students submitting ACT score	20.0%
Total number of applicants	39,846	5,104
Total number of admissions given out	7,587	3,748
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,516	562
Yield rate	33.2%	15.0%
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	$76,606	$60,790
Average net price	$30,159	$36,708
Tuition	$60,530	$43,500
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,780 Meal plan: $5,822	Room/dormitory: $9,300 Meal plan: $6,570
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	39.0% Average amount $48,693	100.0% Average amount $25,847
Students receiving federal student loan	33.0% Average amount $3,579	72.0% Average amount $5,477
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $2,200	16.0% Average amount $20,662

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	9,955 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	2,149 Men 32.1% Women 67.9%
Graduate students	5,622 Men 42.2% Women 57.8%	679 Men 34.2% Women 65.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	86.7%
International students	12.4%	1.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	7,602	1,285
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Mississippi Connecticut Rhode Island New York New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Education Public Administration and Social Service Legal Profession	Business Health Professions Law Enforcement and Firefighting Education Psychology
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	13:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.8%	73.2%
Dropout rate	2.5%	26.6%
Transferred out	6.4%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,486 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $82,893 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,840 Year 2: $69,477 Year 3: $74,932 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,348 Year 2: $61,888 Year 3: $67,954 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,952 Year 2: $45,500 Year 3: $52,046 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,234 Year 2: $30,409 Year 3: $51,017 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $52,488 Year 2: $46,478 Year 3: $50,328 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,332 Year 2: $36,042 Year 3: $49,637 Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,791 Year 2: $43,426 Year 3: $49,262 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $26,347 Year 2: $37,568 Year 3: $49,155 Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,998 Year 2: $29,141 Year 3: $48,162

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Boston College and Salve Regina University?

Boston College (BC) is a large, private Jesuit research university known for its strong academics, particularly in business, law, and the humanities. It has a significant emphasis on research and a broader range of graduate programs. Salve Regina University, on the other hand, is a smaller, private Catholic university founded by the Sisters of Mercy, focusing on undergraduate education with a strong emphasis on liberal arts and professional programs like nursing and criminal justice. Salve Regina offers a more intimate learning environment and a greater focus on personalized attention.
How do the campus environments compare?

Boston College's campus is located in Chestnut Hill, a suburb of Boston, offering a blend of a traditional college atmosphere with easy access to a major city. The campus is larger and more bustling. Salve Regina University is situated in Newport, Rhode Island, a historic coastal city. Its campus features stunning Gilded Age mansions and a more relaxed, picturesque setting. Salve Regina offers a more self-contained campus experience, while BC provides greater access to urban amenities.
Which school is more selective in its admissions process?

Boston College is significantly more selective than Salve Regina University. BC has a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more competitive applicant pool. Salve Regina's admissions process is generally less competitive, making it accessible to a broader range of students.
What is the typical class size and student-to-faculty ratio at each university?

Boston College, being a larger university, generally has larger class sizes, especially in introductory courses. The student-to-faculty ratio is around 13:1. Salve Regina University boasts smaller class sizes, fostering more interaction between students and professors. Their student-to-faculty ratio is approximately 12:1, contributing to a more personalized learning experience.
How do the costs of attending Boston College and Salve Regina University compare?

Generally, Boston College and Salve Regina University have similar tuition costs. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like room and board, fees, and personal expenses. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date information on tuition and fees, and to explore available financial aid and scholarship opportunities at each institution.
What academic programs are Boston College and Salve Regina University known for?

Boston College is highly regarded for its Carroll School of Management (business), its law school, and its programs in the humanities, social sciences, and theology. Salve Regina University is known for its strong nursing program, criminal justice program, and its liberal arts offerings, particularly in fields like history, English, and the visual and performing arts. Salve Regina also has unique programs related to its location, such as historic preservation.
What are the religious affiliations of Boston College and Salve Regina University?

Boston College is a Jesuit Catholic university, meaning it is guided by the principles of the Society of Jesus. While rooted in Catholic tradition, BC welcomes students of all faiths. Salve Regina University is a Catholic university founded by the Sisters of Mercy, emphasizing Mercy values such as compassion, service, and social justice. Like BC, Salve Regina welcomes students of all backgrounds and beliefs.
What kind of student would thrive at Boston College versus Salve Regina University?

A student who is academically driven, enjoys a vibrant campus life with numerous extracurricular activities, and seeks access to a wide range of research opportunities and graduate programs might thrive at Boston College. A student who prefers a smaller, more close-knit community, values personalized attention from professors, and appreciates a beautiful, historic campus in a coastal setting might find Salve Regina University a better fit.
What are the athletic programs like at each school?

Boston College competes in NCAA Division I athletics as part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). They are particularly known for their football and hockey programs. Salve Regina University competes in NCAA Division III athletics, offering a variety of sports with a focus on student participation and a balance between academics and athletics.
What are the career services and alumni networks like at each university?

Both Boston College and Salve Regina University offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Boston College, with its larger size and longer history, has a more extensive alumni network that can provide valuable connections and opportunities. Salve Regina's alumni network, while smaller, is still supportive and engaged, particularly within specific industries and regions.

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