Graduate and Law Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance (COA) provides an estimate of the costs associated with attending Boston College. 

Cost of Attendance Information

There are two main categories of costs used when creating the cost of attendance: direct and indirect costs.

Direct (Billed) Costs

The cost of attendance includes costs that will appear on your bill—tuition, and fees. When trying to determine financial responsibilities to Boston College each year, the direct costs are what will appear on your billing statement.

Your first bill for the academic year will likely include a charge for health insurance. Massachusetts law requires that every full-time and part-time student enrolled in a certificate, diploma or degree-granting program of higher education must participate in their school's Student Health Program or in a health benefit plan with comparable coverage. Students that have comparable coverage are able to waive the Boston College health plan by specific deadlines. For additional information on BC's health insurance plan and directions and deadlines to waive the insurance please visit bc.edu/medicalinsurance. The cost for the BC medical insurance for the 24–25 year is $4,281.

Direct Costs for Graduate Students*

Cost TypeTotal
Tuition

See the cost of attendance tab for the list of tuition rates for each school. 

Most Graduate Programs are charged per credit.

Example: 12 Credits x $2,100 = $25,200

Fees*

Graduate Activity Fee:

$116 for students taking 7 or more crefits

$80 for students taking 6 or less credits

*Fees are charged each semester. All other costs are divided across two semesters.

Indirect (Non-billed) Costs

The cost of attendance also includes costs that will not appear on your bill. Items included in this category are estimates for books, travel, and miscellaneous/personal expenses. For students that live off campus, an estimate for your housing and food costs will be included in your cost of attendance, and are considered indirect costs because you will not be billed by BC for those costs.

Boston College Indirect Costs

Cost TypeTotal for 25–26
Books and Supplies$1,300
Misc./Personal Expenses$2,651
Housing and Food$21,275
Transportation$1,800
Loan Fees*$210

*Loan fees will also be added when a student receives a federal or graduate PLUS loan.

Your cost of attendance will not match your bill because it includes indirect costs that are not billed by Boston College. Students must plan ahead and be prepared to pay for books and/or off-campus living expenses until the funds have been disbursed.

The Cost of Attendance (COA) increase appeal process allows the Boston College Graduate and Law Financial Aid team to review additional educational expenses incurred during your enrolled academic period. In order to appeal, students must have received aid up to their cost of attendance, and your expenses must exceed the housing allowances listed on our Cost of Attendance page.

Increases to COA are limited and are based on federal regulations. These expenses may include:

  • Rent, if it is above the amount included in the housing expenses portion of the cost of attendance
  • One-time computer purchase (maximum $2,000)
  • Dependent care expenses for dependents under the age of 16 (Note: please speak with your financial aid counselor first)
  • Other expenses as listed on the appeal request form.


All requests must include supporting documentation for each expense. If you list expenses without any supporting documentation, the request will not be considered, and it will be automatically denied. The request must be reasonable.

Note: the Graduate and Law Financial Aid Office may limit the amount of a student’s increase for any reason. If it is determined that the cost was not incurred during the current academic enrollment period or if it is not an allowable education-related expense, the request for an increase will be declined.

Cost of Attendance Increase Form (PDF)

The following is a list of items that are not allowable expenses:

  • Costs incurred outside of the current academic year
  • Costs incurred by anyone other than the student
  • Outstanding student loan payments
  • Automobile purchase or payments
  • Credit card payments or other consumer debt payments
  • Moving expenses, including security deposits
  • Child support and other child care expenses (except for day care)
  • Legal fees or fines, including traffic tickets, parking tickets, or bail
  • Veterinary costs
  • Test preparation fees, or exam fees not related to the current academic program

Receipts for expenses must show:

  • The identity of the buyer
  • The identity of the vendor
  • The amount of the purchase
  • The date.

The Graduate Financial Aid team will notify you by email promptly whether or not your request was approved.

If approved, you may apply for additional federal and/or private loans to cover approved expenses. You may visit bc.edu/altloans for more information regarding private educational loans. Approval for an increase in your cost of attendance does not guarantee an approval for an additional loan. 

If you have questions or concerns about an appeal, please contact your financial aid counselor in the Office of Student Services.

Cost of Attendance Glossary

To help understand the items included in Boston College’s cost of attendance, we have defined each element:

Boston College is committed to providing information in a manner that is accessible to all. If you are in need of a printed copy of the material presented on this web page, please contact the Office of Student Services.