At $39,866/yr net price, Boston College graduates earn $103,937/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $69,937/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $39,866 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $159,464 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $103,937/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$69,937/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 91.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,851/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,655/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,554/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,325/yr |
| $110,001+ | $56,247/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $117,572 | $41,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $115,060 | $55,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $111,435 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $100,439 | $63,861 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $93,588 | $123,000 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $84,100 | $18,000 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $16,803 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Doctoral | $76,460 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $75,518 | $18,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $71,015 | $13,000 |
The Risk Factor
91.0% of students at Boston College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Boston College gives you strong financial returns with low risk. Median debt sits at $19,000 against six-figure median earnings a decade out, so you graduate owing less than a single year's paycheck. A 95% retention rate and 91% graduation rate mean you're very likely to finish what you start, which is the single biggest factor in whether college pays off.
Your major matters, but the floor is high here. Computer science graduates lead, and finance pairs well with Boston's banking and asset-management sector. Nursing pays solidly while leaving you with the lowest debt of the top programs, around $13,000, making it the best debt-to-earnings ratio on this list. Math and information science round out earnings in the low-to-mid $70,000s. The listed programs are all bachelor-level, and all of them clear salaries that comfortably service typical debt.
The main financial risk is the sticker price. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay close to full freight, and that gap between the top tier and everyone else is steep. There's no program-level data here for the humanities or arts, so if you're heading into a lower-paying field, run your own numbers before committing at this price.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families heavily. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay under $6,000 a year, and even the $48,000-to-$75,000 band stays around $12,500. Above $75,000, costs jump sharply, and above $110,000 you're paying roughly ten times what the lowest tier pays.
This school fits you well if you're aiming for CS, finance, nursing, or math, especially if you qualify for need-based aid. If you're full-pay and headed into a field not listed here, look harder at the return before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston College worth the high tuition cost?
Boston College's $39,866 annual net price delivers solid returns with graduates earning $103,937 after 10 years. The 91% graduation rate and relatively low $19,000 median debt make it financially viable for most students who complete their degrees.
What are the best paying majors at Boston College?
Finance graduates from Boston College earn around $117,572 annually, followed by business administration at $115,060. These business programs offer the strongest financial returns compared to other majors at the school.
How much debt do Boston College students typically graduate with?
Boston College students graduate with a median debt of $19,000, which is manageable given the school's strong earning outcomes. This debt level is lower than many comparable private universities.
Does Boston College provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
Boston College brings the average cost down from its sticker price to $39,866 through financial aid. However, this net price is still high compared to public alternatives, making affordability dependent on family income and aid packages.