Bowdoin College vs. BC

Comparable Facts

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

Boston College is larger than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); Boston College is in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting).
• Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowdoin College 9:1; Boston College 10:1.

Bowdoin College vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or BC? 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 BC ($22,228 vs. $32,519).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 2.3% lower than at Boston College ($18,488 vs. $18,916).
• Boston College is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowdoin College (about $2,870 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $67,832.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at BC than at Bowdoin College (about $2,870 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $67,832.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowdoin College than at Boston College (55% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 10.4% larger than aid received by Boston College students ($62,872 vs. $56,971).

Bowdoin College vs. BC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowdoin College (1510) is 20 points higher than at BC (1490).
• Incoming Bowdoin College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at BC (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 1470/1550; Boston College 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 33/35; Boston College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowdoin College - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; BC Jan 1, 2027.
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (16.4%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 43.5% at BC.

Bowdoin College vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowdoin College and BC? 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 Boston College's (91%).
• Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $15,900 more per year than Bowdoin College graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $75,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $167 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($18,833 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($194 vs. $196).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowdoin College students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.