Boston College: Acceptance Rate and Your Chances
Updated June 2026 · CollegeCalcAI
| Acceptance rate | 15% |
| SAT (75th percentile) | 1520 |
| ACT (75th percentile) | 34 |
| Location | MA |
| School type | Private |
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, just outside Boston. It accepts roughly 15% of applicants, making it a highly selective school with a strong national reputation. The admissions process is competitive across all programs.
Calculate your chances at Boston College free →How hard is it to get into Boston College?
With only about 15% of applicants admitted, Boston College is genuinely hard to get into. The school receives applications from a large number of strong students, and even candidates with excellent grades and scores are not guaranteed admission.
BC's Jesuit identity shapes what the school looks for, including a sense of purpose, service, and intellectual breadth. Simply having good numbers is not enough. The full application matters.
Test scores that make you competitive
Admitted students reach an SAT 75th percentile of 1520 and an ACT 75th percentile of 34. If your scores are at or above those benchmarks, you are in competitive territory. Boston College has adapted its test policies in recent years, so check the current requirements, but strong scores remain a positive signal.
What Boston College looks for
BC looks at the whole person, which is standard language but genuinely true here given the Jesuit mission. Academic preparation is the baseline. Beyond that, readers want to understand your character, your commitments, and why you are drawn to BC in particular. Students who have contributed meaningfully to their communities or pursued something with real dedication tend to stand out. The essays are a chance to show depth, not just accomplish another task on the checklist.
Estimate your chances at Boston College
Get a free estimate of your chances at Boston College using CollegeCalcAI at collegecalcai.com. Enter your GPA, test scores, and activities and the calculator gives you a fast, realistic sense of where your application stands.
Frequently asked questions
What is Boston College's acceptance rate?
Boston College accepts about 15% of applicants.
What SAT or ACT score do I need for Boston College?
The SAT 75th percentile for admitted students is 1520 and the ACT 75th percentile is 34. Those scores put you in solid shape on testing.
Is Boston College hard to get into?
Yes. A 15% acceptance rate means the vast majority of applicants are turned away. You need a strong application to compete.
See your real odds at Boston College
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), NCES, and publicly reported Common Data Sets. Acceptance rate and score figures are rounded and reflect recent admissions cycles. How we calculate chances.