About Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College attracts students who want rigorous academics without the distractions of Greek life. This small liberal arts institution enrolls 1,846 students in the coastal town of Brunswick, Maine. The college has produced notable writers like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, plus President Franklin Pierce. Only 9.19% of applicants gain admission, and those who do arrive with SAT scores averaging 1510.
The sticker price hits $83,440, but most students pay far less after generous aid packages. The average net price drops to $20,786, making this top education surprisingly affordable. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,275 annually. Graduates earn a median of $82,735 ten years out, easily justifying the typical debt load of $18,500. The 90% loan repayment rate shows most alumni manage their finances successfully.
Students stick around once they arrive, with 97.63% returning for sophomore year and 95.60% graduating within six years. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and work. Nearly 36% of students compete in Division III athletics across 28 varsity sports. The Polar Bears particularly excel in their rivalries against fellow Maine schools Colby and Bates.
The sticker price hits $83,440, but most students pay far less after generous aid packages. The average net price drops to $20,786, making this top education surprisingly affordable. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,275 annually. Graduates earn a median of $82,735 ten years out, easily justifying the typical debt load of $18,500. The 90% loan repayment rate shows most alumni manage their finances successfully.
Students stick around once they arrive, with 97.63% returning for sophomore year and 95.60% graduating within six years. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and work. Nearly 36% of students compete in Division III athletics across 28 varsity sports. The Polar Bears particularly excel in their rivalries against fellow Maine schools Colby and Bates.
Academics & Faculty
Bowdoin delivers the classic liberal arts experience with intensive faculty mentorship and academic rigor. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students personally and push them intellectually. This support shows in the numbers: 95% of students graduate within six years and 97% return after freshman year. The college excels in government and legal studies, environmental science, and creative writing. Students can design their own majors and pursue original research with faculty mentors. The honor code runs deep here, with self-scheduled exams and take-home tests. Classes rarely exceed 20 students, creating seminar-style discussions even in introductory courses. Academic pressure is real but collaborative rather than cutthroat.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 87.6%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 94.8%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 95.6%
- Retention Rate
- 97.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $82,735
- Carnegie Classification
- Liberal Arts College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $104,192 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $71,015 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $67,101 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $50,231 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $44,971 |
| Area Studies. | Bachelor | $42,123 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | Bachelor | $39,369 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $39,009 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $32,925 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $30,771 |
Campus Life
Bowdoin sits in a picturesque New England town about 30 minutes from Portland, Maine's largest city. With housing capacity for 1,877 students and total enrollment of 1,846, nearly everyone lives on campus all four years. The brick buildings and tree-lined quads create the quintessential liberal arts college atmosphere, though you'll definitely need heavy winter coats for Maine's long, snowy winters.
Students embrace the outdoors year-round, from hiking coastal trails to skiing nearby mountains. The college famously abolished Greek life in the 1990s, creating a more inclusive social scene centered around the residential house system. With 668 athletes competing across 28 varsity sports, about one-third of students play Division III athletics. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means classes stay small and professors know students by name. Weekends revolve around campus events, outdoor adventures, and the strong sense of community that keeps the 97.63% retention rate among the highest in the country. The college's test-optional policy and generous financial aid reflect its commitment to accessibility despite the competitive 9.19% acceptance rate.
Students embrace the outdoors year-round, from hiking coastal trails to skiing nearby mountains. The college famously abolished Greek life in the 1990s, creating a more inclusive social scene centered around the residential house system. With 668 athletes competing across 28 varsity sports, about one-third of students play Division III athletics. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means classes stay small and professors know students by name. Weekends revolve around campus events, outdoor adventures, and the strong sense of community that keeps the 97.63% retention rate among the highest in the country. The college's test-optional policy and generous financial aid reflect its commitment to accessibility despite the competitive 9.19% acceptance rate.
- Setting
- Town-Fringe
- Housing Capacity
- 1,877 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1794
Campus Safety (2023)
29 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Arson | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Burglary | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 10°–30°F
- July Avg
- 58°–79°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 51.1"
- Annual Snowfall
- 57.6"
Student Demographics
Bowdoin draws academically top students from across the country, with over 90% coming from outside Maine. The 9% acceptance rate attracts high achievers who score around 1510 on the SAT. Despite the $64,910 sticker price, generous financial aid brings costs down to under $21,000 on average. Only 16% receive Pell Grants, indicating the student body skews affluent. The balanced gender split reflects Bowdoin's liberal arts tradition that values diverse perspectives. Students here are typically high-performing, well-resourced individuals seeking the prestige and intimate learning environment that defines top New England liberal arts education.
- Men
- 48.1%
- Women
- 51.9%
- White
- 52.6%
- Black
- 5.5%
- Hispanic
- 13.4%
- Asian
- 11.1%
- In-State Students
- 8.9%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 16.1%
Location
Brunswick, Maine sits 25 miles northeast of Portland, the state's largest city. The coastal town of 20,000 residents provides a classic New England college atmosphere with historic brick buildings and tree-lined streets. Bowdoin's campus sprawls across 207 acres in this quintessential college town setting. The Atlantic Ocean lies just 12 miles away, offering students easy access to Maine's rugged coastline and fishing villages. Brunswick's downtown area revolves around the college, with local cafes and bookstores serving the academic community. The surrounding region features dense forests, rocky shores, and traditional Maine lobster towns. Students considering colleges in Maine may also compare Bowdoin College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Brunswick, Maine 04011
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $82,735
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $79,736
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $57,100
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 90.0%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $196/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $18,500
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Bowdoin College?
Bowdoin accepts just 9.19% of applicants, making it one of the most selective liberal arts colleges in the country. Students typically need SAT scores around 1510 and strong academic records to compete for admission.
How much does Bowdoin College cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $20,786 despite a sticker price of $83,440. Families earning under $30,000 pay only $3,275 on average, while those earning over $110,000 pay around $42,867.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Bowdoin College?
Bowdoin maintains a 9:1 student-faculty ratio with just 1,846 students total. This intimate setting allows for close mentorship and personalized attention that defines the liberal arts experience.
What do Bowdoin College graduates earn after graduation?
Alumni earn a median of $82,735 ten years after graduation with a 95.60% six-year graduation rate. The college's strong alumni network includes a U.S. President and famous authors like Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Where is Bowdoin College located and what is campus life like?
The campus sits in Brunswick, Maine, housing 1,877 students with a 97.63% retention rate. Bowdoin famously banned Greek life, creating a more inclusive social environment centered around its 28 varsity sports teams.
Does Bowdoin College have a strong athletic program?
Bowdoin fields 28 NCAA Division III teams with 668 total athletes, earning the nickname Polar Bears. The college competes in the strong New England Small College Athletic Conference alongside rivals Colby and Bates.
