Bowdoin College
Private nonprofit four-year college in Brunswick, ME that costs an average of $15,595 a year after financial aid, admits 7.1% of applicants and graduates 93% of full-time students.
Private nonprofitTown (fringe)1,873 undergraduates
Cost of Bowdoin College
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $88,820 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $71,740 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $19,560 |
| Books and supplies | $840 |
| Average net price after aid | $15,595 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $3,318 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $5,634 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $8,694 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $16,219 |
| $110,001+ | $40,929 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Bowdoin College's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 7.1% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,520 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 730–770 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 740–780 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 33–35 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 93% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 97% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $68,053 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $90,153 |
| Rank in Maine (earnings) | 3rd of 17 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $15,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $170 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 20% |
| Students with federal loans | 8.5% |
Majors and programs at Bowdoin College
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (35)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 68 | $103,268 | — |
| Economics | 160 | $83,500 | $18,925 |
| Mathematics | 92 | $73,412 | — |
| Political Science and Government | 150 | $68,542 | $12,776 |
| English Language and Literature | 64 | $56,516 | — |
| Area Studies | 89 | $52,347 | $15,500 |
| Sociology | 35 | $50,091 | — |
| Biology | 90 | $38,860 | — |
| Anthropology | 26 | — | — |
| Archeology | — | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 46 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 23 | — | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 16 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 2 | — | — |
| Education | 37 | — | — |
| Education, Other | — | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 13 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 36 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 32 | — | — |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 12 | — | — |
| History | 53 | — | — |
| Human Computer Interaction | 24 | — | — |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | 7 | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 1 | — | — |
| Music | 9 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 43 | — | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 65 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 11 | — | — |
| Physics | 43 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 10 | — | — |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 53 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 3 | — | — |
| Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 8 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 2 | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 10 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Maine
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bates College | Lewiston | $27,390 | 13% | $98,373 |
| University of New England | Biddeford | $38,617 | 92% | $68,670 |
| Colby College | Waterville | $19,835 | 7.1% | $88,776 |
| Husson University | Bangor | $22,146 | 81% | $57,136 |
| Saint Joseph's College of Maine | Standish | $29,029 | 84% | $69,579 |
| Thomas College | Waterville | $23,739 | 96% | $53,206 |
| Unity Environmental University | New Gloucester | $20,750 | — | $46,894 |
| Maine College of Art & Design | Portland | $40,801 | 76% | $38,062 |
About Bowdoin College
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year college |
|---|---|
| Location | Brunswick, ME |
| Setting | Town (fringe) |
| Undergraduates | 1,873 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 9 to 1 |
| Accreditor | New England Commission on Higher Education |
| Website | bowdoin.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Bowdoin College's acceptance rate?
Bowdoin College admits 7.1% of applicants, making it highly selective. Admitted students average 1,520 on the SAT.
How much does Bowdoin College cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $88,820 a year (tuition and fees: $71,740). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $15,595 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $3,318.
How much do Bowdoin College graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $90,153 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 3rd of 17 similar colleges in Maine. The best-paid bachelor's program is computer science ($103,268 a year after graduation).
What is Bowdoin College's graduation rate?
93% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 97% of first-year students return for a second year.