Boston College vs Syracuse University
Boston College and Syracuse University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Boston College, a private Jesuit research university, boasts a lower acceptance rate (26%) compared to Syracuse University's (50%). Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors at Boston College including Economics, Finance, and Biology, while Syracuse University excels in fields like Communications, Public Relations, and Engineering. Boston College's student body is predominantly white (63%) and Catholic (48%), while Syracuse University's student population is more diverse, with a larger international student presence. In terms of graduation rates, Boston College holds a slight edge with a 92% four-year graduation rate compared to Syracuse University's 88%. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve deeper into the unique characteristics of each university and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Boston College |
![]() Syracuse University |
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Overview |
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Location | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Syracuse, New York |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
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% | 90.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 19.0% | 59.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1420 - 1530 | 1220 - 1400 |
ACT range | 33 - 34 | 27 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 30.0% | 25.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 20.0% | 13.0% |
Total number of applicants | 39,846 | 39,682 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,587 | 23,489 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,516 | 3,765 |
Yield rate | 33.2% | 16.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $76,606 | $77,896 |
Average net price | $30,159 | $43,545 |
Tuition | $60,530 | $55,920 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,780
Meal plan:
$5,822
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Room/dormitory:
$9,075
Meal plan:
$7,820
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
39.0%
Average amount $48,693 |
86.0%
Average amount $31,590 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
33.0%
Average amount $3,579 |
37.0%
Average amount $5,350 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $2,200 |
7.0%
Average amount $26,377 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
9,955
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
14,778
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
Graduate students |
5,622
Men 42.2% Women 57.8% |
6,994
Men 48.0% Women 52.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 67.2% |
International students | 12.4% | 16.9% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 7,602 | 8,291 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | New York New Jersey Mississippi California Pennsylvania |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 14:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 90.8% | 82.4% |
Dropout rate | 2.5% | 17.0% |
Transferred out | 6.4% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Business/Managerial Economics (Master's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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