Bowdoin College vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

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

Carleton College is larger than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowdoin College 9:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Bowdoin College vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Carleton 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 Carleton College ($22,228 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 4.9% lower than at Bowdoin College ($17,586 vs. $18,488).
• Carleton College is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowdoin College (about $1,060 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $67,832.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Carleton College than at Bowdoin College (about $1,060 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $67,832.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Bowdoin College (59% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 10.6% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($62,872 vs. $56,846).

Bowdoin College vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowdoin College (1510) is the same as at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Bowdoin College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Carleton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 1470/1550; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 33/35; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowdoin College - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Bowdoin College vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowdoin College and Carleton 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Bowdoin College's (92%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $667 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($18,833 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($194 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowdoin College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.