Boston College Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on April 1, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~14%
- Middle 50% ACT: 34
- Middle 50% SAT: 1471
- Average GPA: 4.1
- Below the typical ranges: This is a high reach. Even strong students get turned away here. Focus on standout essays, meaningful service, and strong recommendations—and make sure you have realistic financial safeties.
- In the typical ranges: You’re competitive for admission, but merit aid is still a long shot. Apply early if possible and build a balanced list where you’re more likely to get financial offers.
- Well above the ranges: You’re in the conversation for admission and possibly Gabelli—but understand this is a top 1–2% outcome, not something to plan around financially.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Boston College at a Glance
- The main full-tuition award (Gabelli) requires applying by November 1—miss that and you’re out.
- There are no real automatic merit scholarships—most aid is either need-based or extremely competitive.
- Boston College requires the CSS Profile, which can significantly impact what families are expected to pay.
- Many families assume strong stats = merit money here—that’s not how BC works.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Boston College is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 34; SAT: 1471.
Average net price? About $39,865/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No — private school; same rate for all.
BC Yellow Ribbon information: https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/offices/student-services/financial/undergraduate/veterans/gi-bill-yellow-ribbon.html
BC Benigno and Corazon Aquino Scholarship page: https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/offices/bc-ahana/aquino.html
BC FACHEX information page: https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/offices/student-services/financial/undergraduate/fachex.html
Boston College Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program page: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/admission/sites/gabelli-presidential-scholars-program.html
Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/offices/bc-ahana.html
BC Saint Oscar A. Romero Scholarship page: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/offices/bc-ahana/romero.html
Boston College QuestBridge partnership page: https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/admission/questbridge.html
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Boston College 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $73,508 | $73,508 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $18,284 | $18,284 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $91,792 | $91,792 |
Average Federal Net Price: $39,865 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Cost FAQs
Who qualifies for in-state rates?
Unlike public universities, BC does not offer in-state tuition. Everyone pays the same base rate.
How much do families really pay?
The average family paid about $39,866 after scholarships and grants (IPEDS/NCES). Your actual net price depends on your financial aid package.
Is there a reciprocity or regional discount?
No. Boston College is private and does not participate in programs like WUE or NEBHE. However, Massachusetts residents may apply for state-based need grants such as MASSGrant if eligible.
Boston College Office of Student Services — https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/offices/student-services/billing-student-accounts/tuition-fees.html
Boston College Undergraduate Financial Aid — https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/offices/student-services/financial-aid.html
College Scorecard (Average Net Price) — https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?164924-Boston-College=
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Boston College does not publish admission-based automatic merit tiers for first-year students. BC’s primary academic merit award is competitive (see Presidential Scholars in the next section), and most institutional aid is need-based.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No published automatic merit | — | BC meets demonstrated need; competitive merit is limited to the Presidential Scholars Program (see next section) | — | — | — |
Note: Boston College partners with the Stamps Scholars Program through its competitive Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program. More on Stamps: Stamps Scholarship.
Range/explanation note: Not applicable — BC does not publish automatic merit tiers.
Estimates disclaimer: Not applicable — no GPA/test-based merit bands to estimate.
Automatic Merit FAQs
Does Boston College offer automatic merit like GPA/test grids?
No. BC’s institutional aid is primarily need-based. The premier academic merit award (Presidential Scholars) is competitive and reviewed holistically.
Can automatic merit stack with ROTC or outside awards?
Because BC does not publish auto-merit tiers, stacking typically involves need-based grants, ROTC benefits, and outside scholarships. ROTC/VA benefits may reduce some institutional grants; check your award letter for stacking rules.
Is BC test-optional? Do they superscore?
Yes. BC is test-optional, and if you send scores, Boston College superscores both the SAT and ACT (they use your highest section scores across test dates for composite calculation).
If there’s no auto-merit, how do we pursue scholarships?
Target the competitive Presidential Scholars Program, which is detailed next. Always apply for financial aid (including federal/state) and explore ROTC, FACHEX (Jesuit benefit), and outside scholarships; BC will coordinate the overall aid offer.
BC Affordability/Scholarships: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/admission/affordability.html
Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/admission/sites/gabelli-presidential-scholars-program.html
Stamps Scholars at BC: https://www.stampsscholars.org/boston-college/
Scholarships & Financial Aid Overview: https://scholarships360.org/college-scholarships/boston-college-scholarships/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Boston College’s only major competitive merit award for incoming freshmen is the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program. It’s highly selective, full-tuition, and requires applying by the priority deadline. Other campus scholarships (like AHANA or departmental honors) are listed in different sections.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program | Full tuition (4 years) + funded summer programs | All first-year applicants considered if they apply by Nov 1 | No — automatic review if deadline met | Yes — four years, must maintain standards | About 18 students per year; top academics with leadership, rigor, and service; finalists interview in February | Nov 1 |
Note: The Presidential Scholars Program is also supported by the Stamps Scholarship network, providing additional leadership development and funding.
Competitive Scholarship FAQs
What makes the Presidential Scholars Program competitive?
Only about 18 students are chosen each year. Strong grades, challenging courses, leadership, and service are key. Finalists are invited to campus for an interview weekend in February.
Is there a separate application?
No. All who apply by the November 1 scholarship deadline are reviewed automatically; there are no extra essays or forms.
Can you apply Early Decision and still be considered?
Yes. Both Early Decision and Regular Decision applicants who meet the Nov 1 deadline are eligible.
Does BC require test scores?
No. The scholarship is open to test-optional applicants. Boston College superscores SAT/ACT if you submit them.
Can international students win?
Yes, all applicants (domestic or international) are eligible if they meet the selection criteria and apply by Nov 1.
Boston College Gabelli Presidential Scholars: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/admission/sites/gabelli-presidential-scholars-program.html
BC Financial Aid & Scholarships: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/admission/affordability.html
Stamps Scholars Partnership: https://www.stampsscholars.org/boston-college/
Selection & Process FAQ: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/admission/sites/gabelli-presidential-scholars-program/applicant-faqs.html
Merit/aid overview: https://scholarships360.org/college-scholarships/boston-college-scholarships/
🎖️ Honors College
Boston College does not have a single, university-wide Honors College. Instead, it offers a combination of the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program (for a small group of top students) and departmental honors tracks in majors like Economics, Psychology & Neuroscience, Communication, Computer Science, History, and International Studies. These give high-achieving students access to thesis work, small seminars, and close faculty mentorship.
Honors FAQs
Is admission automatic?
No. Departmental honors generally requires you to apply or be invited based on GPA and major progress (e.g., 3.7 in Comm, Psych, Econ). The Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program is by invitation at admission (apply by Nov 1).
Does honors work add extra time to your degree?
No. Honors seminars and thesis projects fit in the standard four-year plan.
When do students apply or join?
Departmental honors are usually joined sophomore/junior year, by invitation or application. Presidential Scholars are selected at admission. Student eligibility can change if GPA standards are met later.
Do Honors students get extra funding?
Presidential Scholars receive full tuition plus enrichment. Departmental honors generally do not include direct scholarship money, but all thesis/mentorship perks and possible research grants are available.
BC Departmental Honors Programs: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/mcas/sites/com/resources/honors.html
MCAS Honors, thesis & Scholar of the College: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/mcas/undergraduate-research/thesis.html
Gabelli Presidential Scholars: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/admission/sites/gabelli-presidential-scholars-program.html
BC Honors in Psychology, Economics, and other majors: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/mcas/departments/psychology/undergraduate/honors.html, https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/mcas/departments/economics/undergraduate/honors.html
Communication Honors: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/cas/sites/communication/resources/honors.html
International Studies & Scholar of the College: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/mcas/departments/international-studies/academics/senior-thesis.html
Computer Science thesis: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/mcas/departments/computer-science/academics/honors-program.html
⭐ College Specialty
Boston College is a nationally recognized Jesuit university known for pairing strong liberal arts traditions with professional programs that stand out across the country. Families often choose BC because of its balance of academic rigor, tight-knit community, and direct pipelines into Boston’s thriving healthcare, finance, and education sectors.
- Connell School of Nursing: Ranked #9 nationally for undergraduate nursing (U.S. News 2025).
- Lynch School of Education and Human Development: Ranked #20 nationally for graduate education, with specialties in Counseling (#9) and Elementary Education (#16).
- Theology and Religious Studies: Ranked #13 worldwide in QS World Rankings for Theology/Divinity/Religious Studies.
Note: Boston College is classified as an R1: Doctoral University with Very High Research Activity, underscoring its strength in research and faculty scholarship.