Boston College High School: Affordability, Value, and a Comprehensive Education

During times of uncertainty, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, many families re-evaluated their educational choices. Private schools, particularly Catholic institutions like Boston College High School (BC High), became attractive options due to their commitment to in-person learning, smaller class sizes, enhanced facilities, and broader opportunities for students. This article explores the tuition cost of Boston College High School, its value proposition, and the financial aid opportunities available to families.

The Value of a BC High Education

BC High provides a comprehensive college preparatory experience rooted in distinguished legacies, rigorous academics, expansive athletic, artistic, and co-curricular activities, and values-based supportive communities. While some Massachusetts private academies can cost upwards of $55,000, Catholic schools like Boston College High School provide all of the benefits for less than half of that cost. For families seeking a dependable community where their children can thrive, BC High offers a compelling alternative to public education, especially as budget cuts impact public school programs.

A Tradition of Accessibility

BC High was founded in 1863 to educate the children of Boston’s immigrants during a time of great upheaval and exclusion. In the 160 years since, the school has continued to welcome students from all backgrounds to learn, serve, and strive toward a better life for themselves and a better world for everyone. Challenging the misconception that private education is expensive, insular, and inaccessible, BC High demonstrates a commitment to providing a life-changing education within reach for all families.

Tuition and Financial Aid at BC High

While an average cost of attendance at approximately $13,000, private Catholic high schools like BC High are still a serious investment for most families. BC High recognizes this and is dedicated to making its education accessible through significant financial aid and merit-based scholarships.

Generous Financial Assistance

BC High awards more than $9.5 million dollars in total merit and financial assistance each year to 50%+ of student families. The average award of $12,000 cuts the cost of attendance nearly in half - a fifth of what it can cost to attend a private academy. Supported by a generous and passionate alumni network of more than 15,000 living alumni, and an endowment of $100 million dollars, BC High has the resources to put a life-changing education within reach for all families.

Applying for Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, middle and high school families must complete the financial aid application and submit required documents-such as tax returns-through our designated platform, Clarity, by the posted deadline. Families must reapply for financial aid each year. BC High uses Clarity to determine financial aid eligibility. BC High School uses the Clarity Financial Aid system to determine a family’s expected contribution. When you complete the application all financial and personal information provided is processed using a formula that determines the amount you will be able to pay. When we review applications, we recognize that families have many essential expenses beyond tuition. We also understand that every family’s situation is unique. The Clarity formula makes allowances for "needs" that are essential to maintain a modest standard of living, such as medical costs, taxes, and housing, etc. We understand that a family’s home is often their biggest investment, and we don’t want families to feel penalized for that. For that reason, the equity in your primary residence is not taken into consideration when determining financial aid. No. We do not take into consideration the value of your retirement accounts. We know how important it is for families to plan for the future. If a parent or guardian is not employed, an income of $50,000 will be imputed for that individual unless there is a clear reason they are unable to work (such as caring for children under 6, health concerns, or other circumstances). We understand that many families are supporting more than one child in school at a time. When determining financial aid, BC High takes into account siblings who are enrolled in tuition-charging schools, including elementary, high school, or college. The calculation looks at what a family can reasonably contribute toward education overall, and then that amount is shared across all enrolled children. The Clarity financial aid application considers business owners by requiring detailed information on their business income and assets. In the case of a divorce or separation, BC High considers the financial resources of both parents in order to make a fair assessment of aid eligibility. For this reason, both parents are required to complete an application with Clarity. If a parent has remarried, we also consider the step-parent’s resources as well as their obligations with the new family. Admitted students will be notified on March 10, 2026 if they qualify for need-based financial aid. Returning students are notified in early February, at the same time re-enrollment opens.

Reviewing Financial Aid Awards

Yes. We understand that financial circumstance can change or important details may come to light after your application is submitted. If you feel your award does not reflect your family’s current situation, you may request a review. Yes. BC High takes the privacy and security of your personal information very seriously. Clarity is certified for both GDPR and SOC2 compliance and follows enterprise-level security standards, including end-to-end encryption of all personally identifiable information.

The BC High Experience: Return on Investment

The depth and breadth of opportunities at BC High provide a true return on investment to parents and guardians.

Academic Excellence and College Preparation

At BC High, more than 28 Advanced Placement classes are offered alongside 69 athletic teams and 75+ clubs and co-curricular activities. In the past 5 years, BC High graduates have scored 213 points over the national average SAT score and 79% have been accepted to Barron's “Most or Highly Competitive Colleges and Universities” including the Ivy League, federal military academies, and prestigious Catholic institutions like Georgetown University and Boston College, where BC High is a top feeder school. Due to their strong academic profiles, extracurricular activities and commitment to service, BC High students often receive large merit scholarships, particularly at Catholic colleges and universities.

Beyond Academics: A Formative Experience

Beyond these tangible college preparatory benefits, BC High offers students an experience they will never forget - one which many alumni credit as the most formative period of their lives. BC High strives to challenge their students to become young men of integrity, educated in faith and for justice, committed to academic excellence and service to others. As a Jesuit Catholic high school, they strive to reflect the diversity of their church and community.

A Look at Boston College's Tuition

For comparison, Boston College's tuition is $73,508. Compared with the national average cost of tuition of $47,097, Boston College is more expensive. These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources and campus health centers. As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. At Boston College, the total cost is $93,168. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Boston College was $60,815. Additionally, 38% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in fall 2023. Need-based self-help aid includes federal loans and work-study. The average need-based self-help aid awarded to first-year students was $4,794. Merit-based aid, also called non-need-based aid, is awarded for a specific talent or academic achievement. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Boston College - excluding any athletic scholarships, if applicable - was $20,124. Boston College met 100% of its students’ financial aid need.

Additional Costs and Considerations

While tuition is a primary concern, families should also consider additional costs associated with attending BC High.

Books and Supplies

Tuition does not include the cost of lab fees, textbooks, or other required materials for specific courses. In general, full-time graduate and undergraduate students should anticipate costs for textbooks and course supplies of $1,300-$2,200 for the academic year.

Payment Policies

Matriculated students at Boston College are individually, personally, and primarily responsible to the University for paying all tuition and other fees associated with enrollment and housing and food. This obligation also applies to any additional tuition and fees resulting from adjustments to course schedules. Students remain responsible in accordance with University policy for tuition and fees for classes for which they register, including any classes for which they have been withdrawn, been dropped, failed, or failed to attend. Students must formally withdraw from any/all classes that they do not attend in a particular semester. All billing statements are sent electronically. Students are responsible for reviewing their billing statements, making payments by the due date stated in the billing statement, and notifying the University’s Office of Student Services in a timely manner of any errors or discrepancies. A student may authorize parents, guardians or others to view their statements and pay on their behalf, but each student shall remain individually, personally and primarily responsible for the payment of all amounts charged to their accounts. There may be a $150 late payment fee assessed to unresolved accounts by the due date. Students will also be charged a fee of $25.00 for a returned check or returned electronic payment ($65 for any returned item over $2,000). In the event a student’s account becomes delinquent or if the student fails to comply with a payment plan approved by Boston College to bring the delinquent account current, Boston College may refer the student’s delinquent account to a collection agency, attorney or other third party that provides collection-related services. In addition to the student’s responsibility for paying any amounts due on the account prior to referral for collection-related services, the student shall be responsible for (a) paying any and all collection-related fees, which may be based on a percentage of a student’s delinquent account balance, provided that such percentage does not exceed 40%, and (b) paying any and all costs incurred in connection with the efforts to collect on the student’s delinquent account, including without limitation court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees.

Refund Policies

The cancellation schedule that follows will apply to students withdrawing voluntarily, as well as to students who are dismissed from the University for academic or disciplinary reasons. A student who drops, withdraws or fails to attend some or all of the classes for which the student registers will be responsible for paying all or a portion of tuition and fees in accordance with the refund schedules below. by Aug. 22, 2025: 100% of tuition charged is canceledby Sept. 5, 2025: 80% of tuition charged is canceledby Sept. 12, 2025: 60% of tuition charged is canceledby Sept. 19, 2025: 40% of tuition charged is canceledby Sept. by Jan. 9, 2026: 100% of tuition charged is canceledby Jan. 23, 2026: 80% of tuition charged is canceledby Jan. 30, 2026: 60% of tuition charged is canceledby Feb. 6, 2026: 40% of tuition charged is canceledby Feb. by Sept. 3, 2025: 100% of tuition charged is canceledby Sept. 5, 2025: 80% of tuition charged is canceledby Sept. 12, 2025: 60% of tuition charged is canceledby Sept. 19, 2025: 40% of tuition charged is canceledby Sept. by Jan. 21, 2026: 100% of tuition charged is canceledby Jan. 23, 2026: 80% of tuition charged is canceledby Jan. 30, 2026: 60% of tuition charged is canceledby Feb. 6, 2026: 40% of tuition charged is canceledby Feb.

Read also: History of the BU Bridge

If a student does not wish to leave any resulting credit balance on his or her account for subsequent use, he or she should request a refund in the Agora Portal (“Request Student Account Refund”). Federal regulations establish procedural guidelines applicable to the treatment of refunds whenever the student has been the recipient of financial assistance through any program authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. These guidelines pertain to the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, the Federal College Work-Study, and the Federal Stafford and PLUS Loan. In such cases, the regulations require that a portion of any refund be returned according to federal guidelines. Further, if a student withdraws, the institution must determine if any cash disbursement of Title IV funds, made directly to the student by the institution for non-instructional purposes, is an overpayment that must be repaid to the Title IV program. Once a class officially begins, you have until the add/drop deadline for your fall or spring 1/2 term to drop the course in EagleApps and receive a 100% refund. After the add/drop deadline, there is no cancellation of tuition for withdrawing from a course. Once a class officially begins, you have until the add/drop deadline for your specific summer term to drop the course in EagleApps and receive 100% refund. After the add/drop deadline, there is no cancellation of tuition for withdrawing from a course.

Student Loan Debt

How much student loan debt you accumulate can affect your financial life long after college ends. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate. At Boston College, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $19,000. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $201. Additionally, 10% of graduating students at Boston College took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $37,925 in private loan debt at graduation.

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