Bowdoin College vs. Babson

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME with Babson College in Wellesley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Babson College is larger than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (3,932 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); Babson College is in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Babson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowdoin College 9:1; Babson College 15:1.

Bowdoin College vs. Babson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Babson? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowdoin College than Babson ($22,228 vs. $32,019).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 14.2% lower than at Babson College ($18,488 vs. $21,550).
• Bowdoin College is 18.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Babson (about $10,680 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.7% higher at Bowdoin College than at Babson College (about $10,680 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowdoin College than at Babson College (55% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 30.5% larger than aid received by Babson College students ($62,872 vs. $48,173).

Bowdoin College vs. Babson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowdoin College or Babson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Babson and Bowdoin College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowdoin College (1510) is 50 points higher than at Babson (1460).
• Incoming Bowdoin College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Babson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 1470/1550; Babson College 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 33/35; Babson College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowdoin College - Test optional; Babson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Babson Jan 3, 2027.
• Babson has a higher acceptance rate (17.1%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 39% at Babson.

Bowdoin College vs. Babson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowdoin College and Babson? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Bowdoin College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Babson College's (90%).
• Graduates from Babson College earn a median of about $33,500 more per year than Bowdoin College graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,500 vs. $75,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $7,167 lower median loan debt than Babson graduates ($18,833 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Babson graduates ($194 vs. $268).
• More Babson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowdoin College students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 87%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.