Boston College

In 2021, tuition for full-time students at Boston College was $60,530 a year.

In 2021, tuition increased 0.54%–from $60,202 the prior year. On average, college tuition rises about 3%ba year.

If these numbers sound impossible, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition doesn't give you enough information to determine the actual cost of attending any given college. Many students find the actual cost of college is way less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Plus, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until after graduation.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at BC

Boston College is a private, religious institution, so it has the same tuition for students from Massachusetts as it does for residents from other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to verify your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Massachusetts colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to BC?

BC has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or BC-specific aid and scholarships.

BC Housing Expenses and Other Costs

In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at BC.

House and Food Costs at BC

Room and board at BC costs $9,540 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the BC's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities. Students who do not live on-campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can pay for a meal plan. The cost of a mean plan, or board-only, is $8,500.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at BC?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs. Full-time undergrads at BC can expect to pay around $1,300 in fees every year they are enrolled.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at BC

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school?. Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in an urban area can be expensive, but there may be more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. The Boston College campus is in a suburban setting in Massachusetts, not far from Boston.

Other College Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to factor in personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo .

Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending BC.

Total Cost of BC

2021 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$60,530
Room and Board	$9,540
Board Only	$3,000
Yearly Fees	$1,300
Other expenses	$1,700

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$74,320
Off-Campus	$67,780

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Financial Aid at BC

In 2021, 3,955 of the 9,445 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. BC meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $46,417 a year. Around 44.7% of BC undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. BC graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $23,136 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$16,513
State Loans	$6,950
BC-Specific Loans	$0
Private Loans	$25,334

Most Common Loans for BC Students
Federal Loans	42.9%
State loans	0.7%
Private loans	12.5%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on BC financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Boston College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2021, BC awarded 3,551 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $157.4 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $30.23 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Boston College Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for BC students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at BC was $46,417 in 2021. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of BC seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$27,903
Off-Campus	$21,363

What will attending BC really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the BC's net cost calculator on their website.

BC Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

BC does not have guaranteed tuition.

A Prepaid Tuition Plan is not available for BC students.

BC offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Boston College Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

BC has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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