Head-to-head comparison
Boston College vs. University of Miami
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Boston College or Miami harder to get into?
Boston College is harder to get into than Miami. Boston College's 16.4% acceptance rate is lower than Miami's 18.9%.
Which is cheaper, Boston College or Miami?
Miami costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Miami's average net price is $37,244 vs $41,704 at Boston College.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Boston College graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $103,937 at Boston College and $75,328 at Miami.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Boston College | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 16.4% | 18.9% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1440–1540 | 1320–1480 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 30–33 |
| Cost of attendance | $89,493 | $86,078 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $41,704 | $37,244 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 10,085 | 12,913 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 90.8% | 83.7% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $103,937 | $75,328 |
| Setting | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Coral Gables, Florida |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Boston College is modestly harder to get into. The 2.5-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Boston College draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1540 vs 1480 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.
Boston College graduates earn $28,609 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Miami grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Boston College is in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts; Miami is in Coral Gables, Florida. 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.
Boston College's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (90.8% vs 83.7% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Boston College is 52.2% women, 6.5% international, and 11.1% Asian-American. Miami is 54.5% women, 7.6% international, and 5.0% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Boston College | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 52.2% | 54.5% |
| International | 6.5% | 7.6% |
| White | 56.6% | 48.5% |
| Asian | 11.1% | 5.0% |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 24.3% |
| Black | 5.3% | 7.0% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Boston College vs. Miami?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Boston College if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($103,937 vs $75,328)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- its Jesuit mission
Pick Miami if
- Your odds are realistic at Miami (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Miami costs $4,460 less per year on average
- the Frost School of Music
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
Boston College
16.4% accept · Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Full profile
University of Miami
18.9% accept · Coral Gables, Florida
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.