Boston College vs. Harvard University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Massachusetts law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Harvard University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 174 vs 168); Harvard University posts the higher first-time bar passage (97.86% vs 93.82%); Boston College is cheaper on sticker tuition ($72,380 vs $77,100); Harvard University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (97.2% vs 95.8%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Boston College | Harvard University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 168 | 174 | Harvard University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.83 | 3.96 | Harvard University |
| Acceptance rate | 8.5% | 9.2% | Boston College |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $72,380 | $77,100 | Boston College |
| Non-resident tuition | $72,380 | $77,100 | Boston College |
| Median grant | $24,000 | $27,510 | Harvard University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 93.82% | 97.86% | Harvard University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 96.05% | 99.32% | Harvard University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +10.3 pts | +14.4 pts | Harvard University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 95.8% | 97.2% | Harvard University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 47.9% | 56.2% | Harvard University |
| Federal clerkships | 2.3% | 16.6% | Harvard University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Boston College full profile · Harvard University full profile · All Massachusetts law schools
FAQ
Is Boston College or Harvard University harder to get into?
Harvard University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 174 against Boston College's 168.
Which is cheaper, Boston College or Harvard University?
Boston College is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $72,380 versus Harvard University's $77,100.
Which has better bar passage, Boston College or Harvard University?
Harvard University has the higher first-time bar passage, 97.86% against Boston College's 93.82%.
Which has better job outcomes, Boston College or Harvard University?
Harvard University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (97.2% vs 95.8%).
Boston College vs Harvard University: which is better?
It depends on what you weigh — the table above shows where each wins. Across the four headline measures (selectivity, sticker cost, first-time bar passage, and JD employment), Harvard University leads on more of them, but read the row that matters most to you rather than the count.
Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle. Last updated June 26, 2026.