Skip to main content
CollegeHelpGuide
Bowdoin College logo

Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME·Private nonprofit·1,846 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $83,300 within 10 years; exceptional 96% graduation rate.

8%
Accept
1,846
Students
$20,786
Net Price
96%
Grad Rate
$83,300
Earnings
10 yr
$12,000
Debt

About This School

Bowdoin College is a private nonprofit institution located in Brunswick, Maine with approximately 1,846 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 8%. The average net price after financial aid is $20,786 per year. The graduation rate is 96%, and the typical graduate earns $83,300 within 10 years of enrollment.

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

This is a strong option for students who thrive in a tight-knit academic environment — a 98% freshman retention rate and 96% graduation rate signal that students who get in tend to be genuinely happy and finish strong. With median debt of just $12,000 at graduation and median earnings of $83,300 a decade out, the financial picture is unusually healthy for a liberal arts college. The main concern is simply getting in: an 8% acceptance rate makes Bowdoin one of the most selective schools in the country, so treat it as a reach unless your profile is exceptionally strong.

Founded
1794
Setting
Fringe town

Popular Programs

Social Sciences33%
Biological Sciences20%
Physical Sciences8%
English7%
Mathematics6%
Psychology5%
Computer Science5%
Visual & Performing Arts3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Franklin PierceNathaniel HawthorneHenry Wadsworth LongfellowZohran MamdaniRobert PearyAlfred KinseyStephen A. DouglasAnthony DoerrEdwin HallJoan Benoit SamuelsonWilliam CohenGeorge J. Mitchell

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1514
Reading 75th %ile760
Math 75th %ile790

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$64,910
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,910
Avg Net Price
$20,786
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants16%
Median debt at graduation$12,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
96%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
98%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$83,300
after enrollment
Median Debt
$12,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$12,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$57,100
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$83,300
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 6.9x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White53%
Black5%
Hispanic/Latino13%
Asian11%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,846 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Bowdoin College

255 Maine Street

Brunswick, ME 04011

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Maine

Browse all Maine schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.