Cornell vs Boston College

Cornell University and Boston College, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Cornell, an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, boasts a lower acceptance rate (10.3%) compared to Boston College's (26.5%) in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. While Cornell's student body is more diverse, with 50% female and 13% international students, Boston College's student body is predominantly female (56%) and has a smaller international student population (10%). Both universities excel in academics, with Cornell offering a wider range of undergraduate majors, including engineering, agriculture, and hotel administration, while Boston College is known for its strengths in liberal arts, business, and nursing. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to discover more about these institutions' graduation rates, financial aid opportunities, and other key factors that can help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Boston College	Cornell University
Overview
Location	Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts	Ithaca, New York
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	95.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	19.0%	8.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $105
SAT range	1420 - 1530	1450 - 1560
ACT range	33 - 34	33 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	30.0%	41.0%
Students submitting ACT score	20.0%	20.0%
Total number of applicants	39,846	67,380
Total number of admissions given out	7,587	5,852
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,516	3,718
Yield rate	33.2%	63.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$76,606	$80,287
Average net price	$30,159	$24,262
Tuition	$60,530	$60,286
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,780 Meal plan: $5,822	Room/dormitory: $9,962 Meal plan: $6,434
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	39.0% Average amount $48,693	50.0% Average amount $52,674
Students receiving federal student loan	33.0% Average amount $3,579	26.0% Average amount $3,924
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $2,200	16.0% Average amount $8,357

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	9,955 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	15,503 Men 46.1% Women 53.9%
Graduate students	5,622 Men 42.2% Women 57.8%	10,079 Men 51.0% Women 49.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	64.3%
International students	12.4%	24.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	7,602	7,422
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	New York California New Jersey Florida Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Education Public Administration and Social Service Legal Profession	Business Engineering Agriculture Computer and Information Science Legal Profession
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.8%	94.1%
Dropout rate	2.5%	5.2%
Transferred out	6.4%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,012 Year 2: $117,572 Year 3: $142,311 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,514 Year 2: $115,060 Year 3: $137,599 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $114,055 Year 2: $111,435 Year 3: $126,491 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $89,485 Year 2: $93,588 Year 3: $114,789 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,426 Year 2: $100,439 Year 3: $112,343 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $89,714 Year 2: $84,100 Year 3: $105,872 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,320 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $94,626 Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,748 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $90,750 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,899 Year 2: $69,937 Year 3: $82,416 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,785 Year 2: $69,069 Year 3: $77,978	Law (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $185,154 Year 2: $172,867 Year 3: $207,272 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $150,786 Year 2: $145,332 Year 3: $167,695 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $127,764 Year 2: $122,485 Year 3: $158,076 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $147,241 Year 2: $127,397 Year 3: $155,653 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $114,311 Year 2: $111,926 Year 3: $126,082 Operations Research (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,067 Year 2: $109,763 Year 3: $124,590 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $88,459 Year 2: $92,277 Year 3: $109,597 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,672 Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $109,553 Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,847 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $107,658 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $101,072 Year 3: $106,693

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic differences between Cornell University and Boston College?

Cornell University offers a broader range of academic programs, including strong programs in engineering, agriculture, and hotel management, which are less prominent at Boston College. Boston College excels in humanities, social sciences, and business, particularly finance and accounting. Cornell's academic structure is decentralized, with several undergraduate colleges, while Boston College has a more unified structure centered around its core curriculum.
How does the campus environment differ between Cornell and Boston College?

Cornell's campus is located in Ithaca, New York, a more rural setting with a vast, sprawling campus. Boston College is situated in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, a suburban environment with a more compact, collegiate feel. Cornell's campus offers stunning natural beauty, while Boston College provides easy access to the city of Boston and its cultural attractions.
What is the cost of attendance like at Cornell University versus Boston College?

The overall cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is generally comparable between Cornell and Boston College. However, specific financial aid packages and scholarships can vary significantly. It's recommended to check the financial aid websites of both universities to determine the net cost based on your individual circumstances.
How do the student bodies compare at Cornell and Boston College?

Cornell University has a larger and more diverse student body, representing a wider range of backgrounds and interests. Boston College has a slightly smaller student body with a strong emphasis on a close-knit community and a significant Catholic tradition. Both universities attract high-achieving students, but the social and cultural environments differ.
What are the strengths of the undergraduate programs at Cornell University?

Cornell is renowned for its strong undergraduate programs in engineering, architecture, agriculture, veterinary medicine, and hotel administration. It also has excellent programs in arts and sciences, offering a wide array of majors and research opportunities. The university's emphasis on research and hands-on learning is a major strength.
What are the strengths of the undergraduate programs at Boston College?

Boston College excels in its undergraduate programs in the humanities, social sciences, and business, particularly finance and accounting. The Carroll School of Management is highly regarded. The university also offers a strong core curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and ethical reasoning, fostering a well-rounded education.
How does the social life differ at Cornell and Boston College?

Cornell's social life is diverse, reflecting the varied interests of its large student body. There are numerous student organizations, Greek life options, and opportunities for outdoor recreation. Boston College has a more traditional college social scene, with a strong emphasis on campus events, athletics, and a close-knit community. The proximity to Boston provides additional social opportunities.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of Cornell and Boston College?

Graduates from both Cornell and Boston College are highly sought after by employers. Cornell graduates have strong career prospects in a wide range of fields, particularly in STEM and professional fields. Boston College graduates are well-prepared for careers in business, finance, law, and other professional fields, with strong connections to the Boston area and beyond. Both universities have robust career services departments to assist students with job placement.
How does the research environment compare at Cornell and Boston College?

Cornell University is a major research institution with extensive research opportunities for undergraduates across all disciplines. Boston College also offers research opportunities, but the scale and scope are generally smaller compared to Cornell. Cornell's research focus is broader, while Boston College's research strengths are concentrated in specific areas.
Which university is better for a student interested in a strong athletic program?

Both Cornell and Boston College have competitive athletic programs. Boston College competes in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), which is a Power Five conference, and is known for its football and hockey programs. Cornell competes in the Ivy League, which does not offer athletic scholarships, but still has strong programs, particularly in hockey, wrestling, and lacrosse. The best choice depends on the specific sport and the student's priorities.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Boston College

Samuel Merritt University