Bowdoin College vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME with Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bard College is larger than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowdoin College 9:1; Bard College 9:1.

Bowdoin College vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Bard College? 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 Bard College ($22,228 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 1.9% lower than at Bard College ($18,488 vs. $18,852).
• Bowdoin College is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $1,396 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Bowdoin College than at Bard College (about $1,396 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Bowdoin College (74% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 13.8% larger than aid received by Bard College students ($62,872 vs. $55,235).

Bowdoin College vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowdoin College or Bard College? 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 Bard College and Bowdoin College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowdoin College (1510) is 150 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Bowdoin College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 1470/1550; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 33/35; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowdoin College - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Bowdoin College vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowdoin College and Bard College? 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 Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $33,400 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $7,361 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($18,833 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($194 vs. $270).
• More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 81%)

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.