Boston College vs. Northeastern University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

Both are Massachusetts law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Boston College is the more selective admit (median LSAT 168 vs 164); Boston College posts the higher first-time bar passage (93.82% vs 87.39%); Northeastern University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($65,652 vs $72,380); Boston College places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (95.8% vs 86.9%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricBoston CollegeNortheastern UniversityBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT168164Boston College
Median undergraduate GPA3.833.77Boston College
Acceptance rate8.5%24.2%Boston College
Cost
Resident tuition$72,380$65,652Northeastern University
Non-resident tuition$72,380$65,652Northeastern University
Median grant$24,000$31,000Northeastern University
Bar passage
First-time bar passage93.82%87.39%Boston College
Two-year ultimate bar passage96.05%96.74%Northeastern University
Bar passage vs. state average+10.3 pts+4.5 ptsBoston College
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment95.8%86.9%Boston College
Large-firm (250+) employment47.9%20.6%Boston College
Federal clerkships2.3%2.3%Tie

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 95.91% in 2011 to 93.82% in 202585%87.5%90%92.5%95%97.5%111315182022242593.82%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Boston College — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 89.1% in 2011 to 87.39% in 202575%80%85%90%95%111315182022242587.39%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Northeastern University — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $41,818 in 2011 to $72,380 in 2025$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000$80,0001113151719212325$72,380
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Boston College — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $42,296 in 2011 to $65,652 in 2025$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,0001113151719212325$65,652
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Northeastern University — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Boston College full profile · Northeastern University full profile · All Massachusetts law schools

FAQ

Is Boston College or Northeastern University harder to get into?

Boston College is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 168 against Northeastern University's 164.

Which is cheaper, Boston College or Northeastern University?

Northeastern University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $65,652 versus Boston College's $72,380.

Which has better bar passage, Boston College or Northeastern University?

Boston College has the higher first-time bar passage, 93.82% against Northeastern University's 87.39%.

Which has better job outcomes, Boston College or Northeastern University?

Boston College places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (95.8% vs 86.9%).

Boston College vs Northeastern 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), Boston College 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.

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