Skip to content

College Comparison

Stanford University 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

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

School

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricStanfordBoston College
Acceptance Rate3.9%wins15.7%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1510–1580wins1430–1540
ACT Range (25th–75th)34–35wins33–34
Tuition (Out-of-State)$62,484wins$67,680
Avg Net Price$12,136wins$39,866
Median Earnings (10 yr)$124,080wins$103,937
Graduation Rate92.8%wins91.0%
Retention Rate97.8%wins95.4%
Student–Faculty Ratio6:1wins13:1
Total Enrollment7,8419,865wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Stanford edges out Boston College on 9 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.

Stanford Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 3.9%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1510–1580
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–35
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $62,484

Boston College Strengths

  • Total Enrollment: 9,865

Want a deeper comparison?

Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.

Open Compare Tool

Related Comparisons