Bowdoin College vs. Bennington

Comparable Facts

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

Bowdoin College is larger than Bennington based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 927 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bowdoin College vs. Bennington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Bennington? 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 Bennington ($22,228 vs. $34,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 3.2% lower than at Bennington College ($18,488 vs. $19,108).
• Bowdoin College is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bennington (about $1,570 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $66,262.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Bowdoin College than at Bennington College (about $1,570 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $66,262.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bennington College than at Bowdoin College (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 18.5% larger than aid received by Bennington College students ($62,872 vs. $53,064).

Bowdoin College vs. Bennington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowdoin College (1510) is 160 points higher than at Bennington (1350).
• Incoming Bowdoin College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Bennington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 1470/1550; Bennington College 1291/1403.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 33/35; Bennington College 30/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowdoin College - Test optional; Bennington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Bennington Jan 15, 2027.
• Bennington has a higher acceptance rate (44.5%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 11.5% at Bennington.

Bowdoin College vs. Bennington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowdoin College and Bennington? 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 Bennington College's (67%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $43,300 more per year than Bennington graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $7,167 lower median loan debt than Bennington graduates ($18,833 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bennington graduates ($194 vs. $268).
• More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bennington students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 77%)

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.