College Comparison
Penn State vs Boston College: Which is Better?
Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.
School
Penn State
University Park, PA
School
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Penn State | Boston College |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 54.2% | 15.7%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1220–1400 | 1430–1540wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 27–32 | 33–34wins |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $40,188wins | $67,680 |
| Avg Net Price | $32,598wins | $39,866 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $63,435 | $103,937wins |
| Graduation Rate | 85.7% | 91.0%wins |
| Retention Rate | 92.0% | 95.4%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 13:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 41,862wins | 9,865 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Boston College edges out Penn State on 7 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.
Penn State Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $40,188
- ✓Avg Net Price: $32,598
- ✓Total Enrollment: 41,862
Boston College Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 15.7%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1430–1540
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–34
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $103,937
Want a deeper comparison?
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