At $20,786/yr net price, Bowdoin College graduates earn $82,735/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $48,735/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,786 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $83,144 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $82,735/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$48,735/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 95.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,275/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,464/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,764/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,899/yr |
| $110,001+ | $42,867/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $104,192 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $71,015 | $19,500 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $67,101 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $50,231 | $19,634 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $44,971 | |
| Area Studies. | Bachelor | $42,123 | $24,000 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | Bachelor | $39,369 | $19,500 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $39,009 | |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $32,925 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $30,771 |
The Risk Factor
95.6% of students at Bowdoin College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Bowdoin gives you a strong financial return, and the debt side is the reason. You leave with median debt near the cost of a used car, and a 95.6% graduation rate means you actually finish and start earning instead of paying for a degree you never get. Median earnings at ten years clear $82,000, and the 97.6% retention rate tells you almost nobody leaves after freshman year.
Your major decides how well this pays off. Computer science graduates out-earn political science and psychology graduates by roughly double, so a CS or economics degree here turns into a clear financial win. Political science and psychology sit in the $45,000-$50,000 range at ten years, which is below the school-wide median. You can still afford those majors because the debt is low, but do not expect the paycheck to match a quant or tech path.
The main financial risk is the sticker cost if your family earns over $110,000. You pay close to $43,000 a year at that tier, and if you pick a lower-earning major, the math gets tight. Brunswick, Maine is a small coastal town with a thin local job market, so plan on relocating for work in economics or tech.
The net price tiers are the real story for aid. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $3,300-$3,500 a year, which makes Bowdoin one of the cheaper four-year options you will find. The $48,000-$75,000 tier still pays under $7,000. The jump hits at $75,000, where price triples to about $21,000, and doubles again above $110,000.
Bowdoin fits you if you come from a lower or middle income household, or if you plan to major in CS, economics, or math. If your family pays full price and you want a lower-earning field, price it against a cheaper school first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bowdoin College worth the cost for most students?
Bowdoin's strong financial aid brings the average net price down to $20,786 per year, making it more affordable than its sticker price suggests. With graduates earning $82,735 ten years out and only $18,500 in median debt, the return on investment is solid for most students.
Which Bowdoin College programs offer the best financial return?
Computer science graduates from Bowdoin earn $104,192 on average, making it the clear winner for ROI. Economics majors also do well at $71,015, while psychology and political science graduates earn significantly less at around $45,000-$50,000.
How much debt do Bowdoin College graduates typically have?
Bowdoin graduates carry a median debt of $18,500, which is relatively low for a private college. The school's generous financial aid helps keep debt manageable, though students should still consider their major's earning potential when borrowing.
Does Bowdoin College's selectivity make it worth attending?
With a 9% acceptance rate and 96% graduation rate, Bowdoin is highly selective and students who get in typically finish. The combination of strong alumni networks, low debt levels, and solid post-graduation earnings justifies the competitive admission process for most majors.