Boston College vs Grinnell College

Grinnell College is the more selective of the two at 15%, versus 16% at Boston College. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Boston College
Highly selective
16%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1520
Private · Massachusetts
Grinnell College
Highly selective
15%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1470
Private · Iowa

Boston College vs Grinnell College: the differences that matter

How Boston College and Grinnell College stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Boston College and Grinnell College are almost equally selective (16% vs 15%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Boston College leans more on alumni / legacy relation, while Grinnell College puts more weight on interview. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Boston College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1520 and Grinnell College's is around 1470. Admitted students at Boston College post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorBoston CollegeGrinnell College
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresimportantimportant
Application essayvery importantvery important
Recommendationsvery importantvery important
Extracurricular activitiesvery importantvery important
Talent / abilityvery importantvery important
Character / personal qualitiesvery importantvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Boston College or Grinnell College harder to get into?

Grinnell College is harder to get into, with a 15% acceptance rate versus 16% at Boston College.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Boston College and Grinnell College?

Boston College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1520, and Grinnell College's is around 1470.

What are my chances at Boston College and Grinnell College?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.