Head-to-head comparison
Boston College vs. University of Notre Dame
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Boston College or Notre Dame harder to get into?
Notre Dame is harder to get into than Boston College. Notre Dame's 11.3% acceptance rate is lower than Boston College's 16.4%.
Which is cheaper, Boston College or Notre Dame?
Notre Dame costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Notre Dame's average net price is $26,780 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 $99,980 at Notre Dame.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Boston College | Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 16.4% | 11.3% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1440–1540 | 1450–1550 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $89,493 | $84,047 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $41,704 | $26,780 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 10,085 | 9,112 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 90.8% | 95.2% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $103,937 | $99,980 |
| Setting | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Notre Dame, Indiana |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Notre Dame is meaningfully harder to get into. A 5.1-percentage-point gap between 16.4% (Boston College) and 11.3% (Notre Dame) reflects real selectivity differences. Boston College is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.
Notre Dame is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $14,924 per year, $59,696 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Boston College is in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts; Notre Dame is in Notre Dame, Indiana. 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.
Notre Dame's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (95.2% vs 90.8% 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. Notre Dame is 48.7% women, 6.9% international, and 5.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Boston College | Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 52.2% | 48.7% |
| International | 6.5% | 6.9% |
| White | 56.6% | 59.4% |
| Asian | 11.1% | 5.7% |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 15.3% |
| Black | 5.3% | 4.7% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Boston College vs. Notre Dame?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Boston College if
- Your odds are realistic at Boston College (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($103,937 vs $99,980)
- its Jesuit mission
Pick Notre Dame if
- Net price matters: Notre Dame costs $14,924 less per year on average
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- Catholic intellectual tradition
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 Notre Dame
11.3% accept · Notre Dame, Indiana
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.