2023 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More
$30,159
Net Price
19%
Admitted
33%
Enrolled
90%
Graduation Rate
14/1
Student / Faculty
University Detail
Boston College
is a private not-for-profit, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 15,577. In 2021, there were 693 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #9 in Massachusetts and ranks #103 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.
Psychology Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master, Doctor
Psychology Graduates
693
Total Enrollment
15,577
Type
Private Not-for-profit, Four or more years
Institution Accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
Ranking for Boston College
Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.
Massachusetts Rank
Combining ranking factors for 53 schools that offer psychology degrees in Massachusetts, Boston College ranks #9.
U.S. Rank
Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., Boston College ranks #103.
Psychology Programs Offered
For psychology degrees, Boston College offers Applied Psychology, Counseling and Applied Psychology and General Psychology at the bachelor level. At the master level, the university offers Developmental Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, Research Psychology and Social Work. At the doctorate level Counseling and Applied Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Psychometrics Psychology, Research Psychology, Social Psychology and Social Work are offered.
In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.
| Psychology Graduates in 2021 | BS | MA | PhD |
| Applied Psychology | 97 | – | – |
| Counseling and Applied Psychology | 97 | – | 6 |
| Counseling Psychology | – | – | 6 |
| Developmental Psychology | – | 18 | 1 |
| General Psychology | 119 | – | – |
| Mental Health Counseling | – | 53 | – |
| Psychometrics Psychology | – | – | 1 |
| Research Psychology | – | 18 | 3 |
| Social Psychology | – | – | 1 |
| Social Work | – | 264 | 9 |
| Total Graduates | 313 | 353 | 27 |
Psychology Program Accreditation(s)
Admission, Enrollment, Graduation
In the fall of 2021, 39,846 students applied to the Boston College. The university admitted 19% and 33% of those who were admitted also enrolled.
By comparison, the average number of applicants for Massachusetts universities is 11,143. On average, all Massachusetts institutions admit 66% and 23% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.
The percentage of Boston College students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 95%. Compared to all Massachusetts four or more years colleges, the percentage is 77%.
The overall graduation rate for Boston College is 90%, compared to 69% for all Massachusetts universities, while the number of students who transferred out of the program is 7%.
Compare BC to Massachusetts Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees
Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of Boston College to the average of all Massachusetts four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.
Why it Matters
Compare Admission and Enrollment
Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.
BC
39,846
Applicants
19%
Percent Admitted
33%
Percent Enrolled
95%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
90%
Graduation Rate
MA Colleges
11,143
Applicants
66%
Percent Admitted
23%
Percent Enrolled
77%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
69%
Graduation Rate
Student & Faculty Information
In the fall of 2021, there were 1,123 or 60% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 735 or 40% part-time faculty members employed at Boston College. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 880 or 47%.
Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.
Why it Matters
Compare Faculty Numbers
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.
BC
14 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
60%
Percent Full-Time
40%
Percent Part-Time
47%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
MA Colleges
12 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
47%
Percent Full-Time
53%
Percent Part-Time
45%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
Tuition and Student Expenses
For the 2021-2022 academic year at Boston College the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $60,530, and the average cost for books and supplies is $1,250.
For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $32,616 and the average cost for graduate fees is $106.
In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend Boston College in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.
| Expenses for Boston College | 2021-2022 |
| On Campus Room & Board | $15,602 |
| On-Campus Living Expenses | $2,100 |
| Total Living Expenses | $17,702 |
| Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate | $60,530 |
| Books and Supplies, Undergraduate | $1,250 |
| Total Undergraduate Expenses | $79,482 |
| In-State, Graduate Tuition | $32,616 |
| In-State, Graduate Fees | $106 |
| Total Graduate Expenses | $32,722 |
Net Price
Average Net Price
The average net price to attend Boston College is $30,159. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.
In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.
Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
Compare Boston College to all Massachusetts universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.
For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.
Why it Matters
Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.
BC
$79,482
Cost to Attend
$44,727
Average Financial Aid
51%
Percent Receiving Aid
$30,159
Net Price
MA Colleges
$47,729
Cost to Attend
$20,502
Average Financial Aid
89%
Percent Receiving Aid
$23,230
Average Net Price
Financial Aid
The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 1,224 or 51%.
The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 4,537 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $44,727.
All Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | # Receiving Aid | Average Aid Received |
|---|---|---|
| Grant or Scholarship Aid | 4,537 | $44,727 |
| Pell Grants | 1,268 | $5,183 |
| Federal Student Loans | 3,383 | $4,254 |
Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the Boston College to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.
We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.
Why it Matters
Compare Financial Aid
Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.
BC
4,537
Grant or Scholarship Aid
49%
Grants or Scholarships
1,268
Number of Pell Grants
14%
Pell Grants
3,383
Federal Student Loans
37%
Federal Student Loans
MA Colleges
2,963
Grant or Scholarship Aid
51%
Grants or Scholarships
1,101
Number of Pell Grants
19%
Pell Grants
1,750
Federal Student Loans
30%
Federal Student Loans
See Additional Psychology Schools for Massachusetts.
