Is American or Boston College harder to get into?

American is harder to get into than Boston College. American's 12.9% acceptance rate is lower than Boston College's 16.4%.

Which is cheaper, American or Boston College?

American costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, American's average net price is $40,815 vs $41,704 at Boston College.

Which has higher post-graduation earnings, American or Boston College?

Boston College graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $103,494 at American and $103,937 at Boston College.

American vs. Boston College: Acceptance Rate, SAT, Cost & Outcomes Compared

Metric	American	Boston College
Acceptance rate	12.9%	16.4%
SAT mid-50%	1390–1550	1440–1540
ACT mid-50%	31–35	33–35
Cost of attendance	$88,741	$89,493
Avg net price (after aid)	$40,815	$41,704
Undergrad enrollment	7,569	10,085
6-yr graduation rate	94.8%	90.8%
Median earnings (10yr)	$103,494	$103,937
Setting	Washington, D.C.	Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

The Real Differences

American is meaningfully harder to get into. A 3.5-percentage-point gap between 12.9% (American) and 16.4% (Boston College) reflects real selectivity differences. Boston College is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.

Net cost is essentially the same at both schools after grants and scholarships, despite different sticker prices. Both schools meet most demonstrated need for in-range income brackets.

Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. American is in Washington, D.C.; Boston College is in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.

American has a more international student body (13.3% non-resident students vs 6.5%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.

Student Body Composition

The two schools have different student body compositions. American is 59.0% women, 13.3% international, and 15.4% Asian-American. Boston College is 52.2% women, 6.5% international, and 11.1% Asian-American.

Demographic	American	Boston College
Women	59.0%	52.2%
International	13.3%	6.5%
White	46.1%	56.6%
Asian	15.4%	11.1%
Hispanic	5.9%	13.0%
Black	4.9%	5.3%

Personalized estimate

What are your odds at American vs. Boston College?

Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.

Run the calculator

The Verdict

Pick American if

Net price matters: American costs $889 less per year on average
Higher 6-year graduation rate
its School of International Service and close ties to D.C. policy and journalism

Pick Boston College if

Your odds are realistic at Boston College (slightly easier admit)
Higher median post-grad earnings ($103,937 vs $103,494)
its Jesuit mission

Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.

Full School Pages

For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:

Full profile

American University

12.9% accept · Washington, D.C.

Full profile

Boston College

16.4% accept · Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Sources

U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.

Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.

Keep going

Calculate your odds All colleges Most selective Best financial aid Highest earnings

American University vs. Boston College