Illinois Tech vs Boston College

Envision yourself pursuing higher education at either Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) or Boston College (BC), two esteemed institutions with distinct characteristics. IIT, nestled in the vibrant city of Chicago, boasts a strong focus on STEM disciplines, while BC, located in the historic town of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, offers a comprehensive liberal arts education. With acceptance rates of 69% and 26%, respectively, both universities attract a diverse student body. IIT's student population is predominantly male (63%), while BC's is more evenly balanced (49% male, 51% female). Explore the comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision in choosing the ideal academic environment for your personal and professional aspirations.

	Boston College	Illinois Institute of Technology
Overview
Location	Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts	Chicago, Illinois
Campus setting	City: Small	City: 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%	87.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	19.0%	66.1%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $75	$75
SAT range	1420 - 1530	1230 - 1410
ACT range	33 - 34	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	30.0%	39.0%
Students submitting ACT score	20.0%	20.0%
Total number of applicants	39,846	6,521
Total number of admissions given out	7,587	4,311
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,516	505
Yield rate	33.2%	11.7%
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$76,606	$67,790
Average net price	$30,159	$26,789
Tuition	$60,530	$48,670
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,780 Meal plan: $5,822	Room/dormitory: $6,842 Meal plan: $7,204
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 $40,370
Students receiving federal student loan	33.0% Average amount $3,579	46.0% Average amount $5,078
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $2,200	4.0% Average amount $16,758

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	9,955 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	2,998 Men 67.5% Women 32.5%
Graduate students	5,622 Men 42.2% Women 57.8%	3,488 Men 59.8% Women 40.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	12.4%	37.5%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	7,602	1,722
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 Health Professions Education Public Administration and Social Service Legal Profession	Engineering Computer and Information Science Legal Profession Business Architecture
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	12:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.8%	71.4%
Dropout rate	2.5%	26.0%
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	Design and Applied Arts (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $116,573 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $122,231 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,214 Year 2: $90,412 Year 3: $98,163 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,905 Year 2: $78,971 Year 3: $92,129 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $64,681 Year 2: $65,131 Year 3: $79,844 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,164 Year 2: $68,499 Year 3: $79,429 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,411 Year 2: $70,680 Year 3: $78,363 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,589 Year 2: $73,949 Year 3: $77,051 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $66,945 Year 2: $66,169 Year 3: $76,694 Architectural Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $74,733 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,314 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $71,785

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic focuses of Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and Boston College (BC)?

Illinois Tech excels in STEM fields, particularly engineering, computer science, architecture, and the sciences. It's known for its hands-on, technology-focused approach. Boston College, on the other hand, offers a broader liberal arts education with strong programs in business, law, education, and the humanities, grounded in its Jesuit tradition.
How do the campus environments differ between IIT and BC?

IIT has a modern, urban campus located in Chicago, offering students access to a major city's resources and opportunities. Boston College boasts a more traditional, suburban campus setting just outside of Boston, providing a classic collegiate atmosphere with easy access to the city.
What is the typical student body size at each institution?

IIT is a smaller university with a more focused student body, typically around 3,000 undergraduate students. Boston College is larger, with approximately 9,500 undergraduate students, offering a more diverse range of perspectives and experiences.
How do the research opportunities compare between IIT and BC?

IIT offers extensive research opportunities, especially in STEM fields, with numerous labs and centers focused on cutting-edge technologies. Boston College provides research opportunities across a wider range of disciplines, including the humanities and social sciences, with a strong emphasis on faculty-mentored research.
What is the cost of attendance like at IIT versus BC?

Both IIT and Boston College are private universities with comparable tuition costs. However, financial aid packages can vary significantly. It's best to compare your individual financial aid offers from each institution to determine the most affordable option for you.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of IIT and BC?

IIT graduates are highly sought after in the tech industry and engineering sectors, particularly in the Midwest. Boston College graduates find success in a wider array of fields, including finance, consulting, law, education, and non-profit organizations, with a strong alumni network particularly prominent on the East Coast.
How does the campus culture differ between the two schools?

IIT's campus culture is generally more focused on academics and career preparation, with a strong emphasis on innovation and technology. Boston College has a more vibrant and traditional campus culture, with a strong emphasis on community, service, and school spirit, particularly surrounding its athletic programs.
What are the strengths of IIT's and BC's alumni networks?

IIT's alumni network is strong within the engineering and technology sectors, particularly in the Chicago area and the Midwest. Boston College boasts a large and influential alumni network across various industries, especially in finance, law, and government, with a strong presence on the East Coast and beyond.
How do the admission requirements compare between IIT and BC?

Both IIT and Boston College are selective institutions. IIT places a greater emphasis on quantitative skills and STEM-related coursework in its admissions process. Boston College considers a broader range of factors, including academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and essays, with a holistic review process.
What types of students thrive at IIT versus BC?

IIT is a great fit for students passionate about STEM, who enjoy a hands-on learning environment and are eager to contribute to technological advancements. Boston College is well-suited for students seeking a well-rounded liberal arts education, a strong sense of community, and opportunities to explore a variety of academic interests.
Does IIT or BC have a stronger focus on athletics?

Boston College has a significantly stronger emphasis on athletics, particularly Division I sports like football and basketball, fostering a strong sense of school spirit. IIT has a smaller athletic program, primarily focused on Division III sports, with a more recreational and less competitive atmosphere.
How does the location of each school impact student life and opportunities?

IIT's location in Chicago provides students with access to internships, cultural events, and a vibrant urban environment. Boston College's location just outside of Boston offers a more traditional campus experience while still providing easy access to the city's historical sites, cultural attractions, and internship opportunities.

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