Chestnut Hill, MA · Private University
Is Boston College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$103,937
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$67,680
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$67,680
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$270,720
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.54x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
91.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$39,866
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Boston College graduates earn $58,937 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Boston College ranked by graduate earnings
74 graduates
262 graduates
64 graduates
54 graduates
81 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Boston College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Boston College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $131,399) and the lowest (Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology: $44,862) is $86,537/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $131,399 | 1.9x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $110,242 | 1.6x |
| Information Science/Studies | $106,214 | 1.6x |
| Mathematics | $98,946 | 1.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $98,724 | 1.5x |
| Economics | $93,934 | 1.4x |
| Marketing | $89,379 | 1.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $86,804 | 1.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $83,651 | 1.2x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $80,046 | 1.2x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations(1yr data) | $74,446 | 1.1x |
| Sociology | $70,722 | 1.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $65,184 | 1.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $64,213 | 0.9x |
| Biology, General | $63,852 | 0.9x |
| International/Global Studies | $60,157 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, General | $59,196 | 0.9x |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $58,439 | 0.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $57,492 | 0.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $57,075 | 0.8x |
| History | $55,258 | 0.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $49,111 | 0.7x |
| Philosophy | $47,768 | 0.7x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyLowest | $44,862 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston College | 1.54x | $103,937 | Good ROI |
| Georgetown University | 1.59x | $103,494 | Good ROI |
| Villanova University | 1.55x | $100,423 | Good ROI |
| Cornell University | 1.58x | $104,043 | Good ROI |
| Northeastern University | 1.47x | $92,538 | Average ROI |
| University of Notre Dame | 1.59x | $99,980 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Boston College offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $103,937 10 years after starting — $58,937 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.9 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.