Bowdoin College vs. Brandeis University

Should I go to Bowdoin College or Brandeis University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bowdoin College or Brandeis University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Bowdoin College vs. Brandeis University comparison
Bowdoin College Brandeis University College 3 College 4
Bowdoin College Brandeis University
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Overview

Bowdoin College Brandeis University
Location Brunswick, ME Waltham, MA
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,850 5,302
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #26 #102
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowdoin.edu brandeis.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowdoin College Brandeis University
Tuition (In State) $64,304 $64,348
Tuition (Out of State) $64,304 $64,348
Room & Board $17,690 $19,096
Avg Net Price $23,110 $44,668
Avg Grant Aid $57,280 $37,489
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 68%

Admission

Bowdoin College Brandeis University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,966 11,282
Admitted 879 3,984
Acceptance Rate 8% 35.3%
Enrolled % 57.3% 21.7%
Avg High School GPA - 3.84
Typical High School Grades - A-
Admissions Standards Elite Exceptional
Applicant Competition Extreme High
ACT Range 33/35 31/34
SAT Range 1480/1550 1390/1530
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 5, 2026

Academics

Bowdoin College Brandeis University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (26%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Bowdoin College Brandeis University
Graduation Rate 92% 91%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,000 $66,700
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,833 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $194 $279

Diversity

Bowdoin College Brandeis University
% Men 0% 14%
% Women 0% 17%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 47%
% Black 5% 5%
% Hispanic 12% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 5% 20%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

Bowdoin College Brandeis University
% In-State 10% 24%
% Out-of-State 81% 57%

Campus

Bowdoin College Brandeis University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Brandeis University is larger than than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (5,302 students vs. 1,850 students)

Bowdoin College vs. Brandeis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Brandeis University?

  • Brandeis University is 0.1% more expensive to attend than Bowdoin College for in-state tuition ($64,348.00 vs. $64,304.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.1% higher at Brandeis University than Bowdoin College ($64,348.00 vs. $64,304.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowdoin College than Brandeis University ($23,110 vs. $44,668)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 7.9% lower than costs at Brandeis University ($17,690 vs. $19,096)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Brandeis University than Bowdoin College (68% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 52.8% larger than aid received Brandeis University ($57,280 vs. $37,489)

Bowdoin College vs. Brandeis University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowdoin College or Brandeis University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Brandeis University or Bowdoin College .

  • Brandeis University has a higher acceptance rate (35.3%) than Bowdoin College (8%)

Bowdoin College vs. Brandeis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowdoin College or Brandeis University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Brandeis University and Bowdoin College.

  • The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is higher than Brandeis University (92% vs. 91%)
  • Graduates from Bowdoin College earn on average $8,300 more per year than Brandeis University graduates after ten years. ($75,000 vs. $66,700)
  • Bowdoin College students graduate with a $8,167 lower median federal student loan debt than Brandeis University graduates. ($18,833 vs. $27,000)
  • Bowdoin College graduates are paying $85 less per month on federal student loans than Brandeis University graduates. ($194 vs. $279)
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brandeis University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/