

Boston College
About
Boston College (BC) is a prestigious private Jesuit research university located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, just six miles west of downtown Boston. Founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus, BC spans a scenic 388βacre campus featuring historic Collegiate Gothic architecture. It enrolls over 15,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs and comprises nine colleges and schoolsβ
Source: US Department of Education
Boston College (BC) is a prestigious private Jesuit research university located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, just six miles west of downtown Boston. Founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus, BC spans a scenic 388βacre campus featuring historic Collegiate Gothic architecture. It enrolls over 15,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs and comprises nine colleges and schoolsβincluding Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences, the Carroll School of Management, Lynch School of Education, and SheikhβNer School of Theologyβoffering degrees from the bachelorβs to doctoral levels. BC is classified as a "Researchβ―1" university, reflecting its high research activity and strong emphasis on academic excellence.
Academically, BC maintains a selective admission rate around 16β17%, with strong student outcomes: retention rates of approximately 95%, fourβyear graduation rates near 88%, and average class sizes of about 13 students, supported by a low studentβfaculty ratio of 10:1 or 11:1. Popular majors include Economics, Finance, Biology, Computer Science, Nursing, and Communication. U.S. News ranks BC among the top 40 national universities (#37 in 2025), highlighting both its domestic prestige and its global reputation. The university benefits from a substantial endowmentβnearly $3.8β―billionβand annual sponsored research funding of approximately $83β―million.
Campus life at Boston College is vibrant and community-driven. Roughly 82% of undergraduates live on campus across 30 residence halls, participating in over 300 student-run clubs and organizations. Athletics play a significant role, with BC Eagles competing in NCAA Division I as part of the Atlantic Coast Conference; the university fields 29 varsity teams and boasts storied programs in football, ice hockey, and womenβs lacrosse. Cultural life includes the McMullen Museum of Art, the John J. Burns Library (noted for its Irish collections), and the popular "Screaming Eagles" marching band. Rooted in Jesuit values, BC emphasizes holistic educationβbalancing academic rigor with spiritual formation, community service, and ethical leadership.
- Boston
Boston College Gasson Hall 108 140 Commonwealth Avenue Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
