Campus Vibe
Among the most selective in the Northeast — top graduate earnings
Bowdoin College is a private town institution in Brunswick, Maine. Admission is competitive, with an average SAT of 1514.
A small campus of 1.8K undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.
96% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $82,735 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $20,786.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Bowdoin College Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1514
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Admissions
Application Platforms
Early Decision (Binding)
November 15
Decision by Mid-December
Aid deadline: November 15
Early Decision II (Binding)
January 3
Decision by Mid-February
Regular Decision
January 3
Decision by Late March
Reply by May 1
Bowdoin has been test-optional since 1969, pioneering this approach in college admissions
Bowdoin requires several supplemental essays exploring academic interests and why Bowdoin
Financial Aid
Bowdoin eliminated loans from all financial aid packages
Bowdoin is need-blind for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
89.8%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$12,000
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
11
Peer Average
13
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Academics
Bowdoin has an open curriculum with no distribution requirements, only a first-year seminar requirement
Research: Bowdoin offers extensive research opportunities including funded summer research programs
Thesis: Honors projects available across all departments
Programs (37)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
98%
- •98% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Campus Life
Housing & Residential Life
Housing Styles
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Notable Alumni
Franklin Pierce 1824
14th President of the United States
Nathaniel Hawthorne 1825
Renowned American novelist
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 1825
Celebrated American poet
Reed Hastings '83
Co-founder and CEO of Netflix
Joshua Chamberlain 1852
Union Army general and Maine governor
William Cohen '62
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense
George Mitchell '54
Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports — Polar Bears
History & Fun Facts
- •1845 (Lithograph by Fitz Hugh Lane) Bowdoin College was chartered in 1794 by the Massachusetts State Legislature and was later redirected under the jurisdiction of the Maine Legislature.
- •President Franklin Pierce and two literary figures, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, both of whom graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1825.
- •Brigadier General (and Brevet Major General) Joshua Chamberlain, a Bowdoin alumnus and professor, was present at the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House in 1865.
- •Fessenden (1823) and Hugh McCulloch (1827), both of whom served as Secretary of the Treasury during the Lincoln Administration.
- •The Jefferson Davis Award was established in 1972 following a donation from the United Daughters of the Confederacy and was given to students excelling in legal studies.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Getting Around
Walkability
Highly walkable campus in charming coastal Maine town
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
Nearby Attractions
Brunswick Town Mallwalkable
Shopping and dining in downtown Brunswick
Bowdoin College Museum of Artwalkable
Museum featuring American and European art
Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museumwalkable
Museum dedicated to Arctic exploration
Maine Streetwalkable
Historic downtown with restaurants and shops
Freeport
Shopping destination home to L.L.Bean flagship store
Transfer Admission
Fall Transfer
March 1
International Students
English Proficiency Requirements
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