Head-to-head comparison
Boston College vs. Tulane University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Boston College or Tulane harder to get into?
Tulane is harder to get into than Boston College. Tulane's 14.0% acceptance rate is lower than Boston College's 16.4%.
Which is cheaper, Boston College or Tulane?
Tulane costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Tulane's average net price is $39,949 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 $63,268 at Tulane.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Boston College | Tulane |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 16.4% | 14.0% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1440–1540 | 1400–1520 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 31–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $89,493 | $87,004 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $41,704 | $39,949 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 10,085 | 7,767 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 90.8% | 86.1% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $103,937 | $63,268 |
| Setting | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | New Orleans, Louisiana |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Tulane is modestly harder to get into. The 2.4-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
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.
Boston College graduates earn $40,669 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. Tulane 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; Tulane is in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 86.1% 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. Tulane is 62.0% women, 4.9% international, and 5.6% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Boston College | Tulane |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 52.2% | 62.0% |
| International | 6.5% | 4.9% |
| White | 56.6% | 64.3% |
| Asian | 11.1% | 5.6% |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 11.3% |
| Black | 5.3% | 7.3% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Boston College vs. Tulane?
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 $63,268)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- its Jesuit mission
Pick Tulane if
- Net price matters: Tulane costs $1,755 less per year on average
- its public service graduation requirement
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
Tulane University
14.0% accept · New Orleans, Louisiana
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.