College Search
Bowdoin College

Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME · Town · 1,873 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 15 · Early Decision I (binding) · in 44 days
Checked Sep 2026 · bowdoin.edu
$14,398
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
95%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$82,735
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
7%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

Located in coastal Maine, Bowdoin College is a premier liberal arts institution renowned for its dedication to the "Common Good" and top-tier programs in government and legal studies, environmental studies, economics, and the natural sciences. Undergraduates benefit from close faculty mentorship alongside distinctive hands-on research opportunities, notably through the Schiller Coastal Studies Center on nearby Orr’s Island. Campus life is tight-knit, collaborative, and deeply connected to the outdoors, defined by a vibrant Outing Club, nationally acclaimed dining services, and a comprehensive no-loan financial aid policy.

Wikipedia:Bowdoin College is a private liberal arts college in Brunswick, Maine, United States. It was chartered in 1794.

Location
Brunswick, ME, 04011 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
PWM · Portland ME
25 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$67,832
Housing & food (on campus)$18,488
Books & supplies$840
Cost of attendance$97,900
Average net price$14,398
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$67,832
Housing & food (on campus)$18,488
Books & supplies$840
Cost of attendance$97,900
Average net price$14,398
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.bowdoin.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Bowdoin College’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$74,268
Fees$700
Housing$10,106
Food$10,326
Books & supplies$840
Personal expenses$1,660
Total published by the school$97,900
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$3,145
$30–48k
$2,800
$48–75k
$9,007
$75–110k
$13,801
$110k+
$35,196
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$1,000
Share of first-years who get one3%
Source: Bowdoin College's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
95%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
72%
Back for yr 2
97%
Transferred
3%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
94% graduated · 5% transferred · 1% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$61,692
10 yrs after entry$82,735
Debt
Median at graduation$18,500
Monthly payment$196
Middle 50% owe$8.5k–$27k
90th percentile$31,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
7%
Test policy
Test optional
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1520
R 730–770 · M 740–780
SAT middle 50%: 1470–1550
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision I
Nov 15 2026
binding in 44 days · Early Decision 1
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Early Decision II
Jan 5 2027
binding in 95 days
A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Checked Sep 2026 · bowdoin.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

Wondering if Bowdoin College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay prompts
How much essays count at Bowdoin College: Very important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Bowdoin College's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
From Bowdoin College (bowdoin.edu) · The page doesn't state a year · checked Sep 28, 2026
  • Which line from The Offer resonates most with you?
    250 words max · Optional
  • If you wish, you may share anything about the unique experiences and perspectives that you would bring with you to the Bowdoin campus and community or an experience you have had that required you to navigate across or through difference.
    250 words max · Optional

Quoted from Bowdoin College's own page; answered in the Common Application, Coalition on Scoir, QuestBridge. The application itself is the final word.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 48%Women 52%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
9 : 1
Pell grant
17%
First-gen
19%
Family income
$61,622
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
53%
Hispanic
15%
Black
5%
Asian
11%
Two or more
9%
Non-resident
7%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Other Sports
    Women's
  • Sailing
    Co-ed
  • Skiing
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Squash
    Men's · Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$61,692
After 10 yrs
$82,735
Economics85
Political Science and Government77
Biology, General47
Mathematics41
Area Studies39
English Language and Literature, General36
Research and Experimental Psychology29
Computer Science28
Neurobiology and Neurosciences28
History26
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology25
Education, General22
Physics19
Natural Resources Conservation and Research18
Sociology17
Fine and Studio Arts16
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$2.6B
Full-time faculty
89%
Faculty salary
$14,216/mo
Teaching spend
$42,365
per student
Federal loans
8%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Research activity
Research college or university
$3M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Bowdoin College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search