Bowdoin College vs. Clark University

Should I go to Bowdoin College or Clark University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bowdoin College or Clark 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. Clark University comparison
Bowdoin College Clark University College 3 College 4
Bowdoin College Clark University
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Overview

Bowdoin College Clark University
Location Brunswick, ME Worcester, MA
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,850 4,124
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #26 #153
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowdoin.edu clarku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowdoin College Clark University
Tuition (In State) $64,304 $54,760
Tuition (Out of State) $64,304 $54,760
Room & Board $17,690 $11,690
Avg Net Price $23,110 $32,767
Avg Grant Aid $57,280 $31,916
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 97%

Admission

Bowdoin College Clark University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,966 10,730
Admitted 879 4,471
Acceptance Rate 8% 41.7%
Enrolled % 57.3% 14.1%
Avg High School GPA - 3.69
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Elite Very High
Applicant Competition Extreme Low
ACT Range 33/35 30/33
SAT Range 1480/1550 1240/1400
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 Jan 15, 2026

Academics

Bowdoin College Clark University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Psychology (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

Bowdoin College Clark University
Graduation Rate 92% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,000 $50,100
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,833 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $194 $279

Diversity

Bowdoin College Clark University
% Men 0% 23%
% Women 0% 20%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 57%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 12% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 2%
% International 5% 15%
% Unknown Race 1% 8%

Students

Bowdoin College Clark University
% In-State 10% 36%
% Out-of-State 81% 60%

Campus

Bowdoin College Clark 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

  • Clark University is larger than than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (4,124 students vs. 1,850 students)

Bowdoin College vs. Clark University Cost Comparison

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

  • Bowdoin College is 17.4% more expensive to attend than Clark University for in-state tuition ($64,304.00 vs. $54,760.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.4% higher at Bowdoin College than Clark University ($64,304.00 vs. $54,760.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowdoin College than Clark University ($23,110 vs. $32,767)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark University are 51.3% lower than costs at Bowdoin College ($11,690 vs. $17,690)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clark University than Bowdoin College (97% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 79.5% larger than aid received Clark University ($57,280 vs. $31,916)

Bowdoin College vs. Clark University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Clark University has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than Bowdoin College (8%)

Bowdoin College vs. Clark University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowdoin College or Clark 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 Clark University and Bowdoin College.

  • The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is higher than Clark University (92% vs. 80%)
  • Graduates from Bowdoin College earn on average $24,900 more per year than Clark University graduates after ten years. ($75,000 vs. $50,100)
  • Bowdoin College students graduate with a $8,167 lower median federal student loan debt than Clark University graduates. ($18,833 vs. $27,000)
  • Bowdoin College graduates are paying $85 less per month on federal student loans than Clark University graduates. ($194 vs. $279)
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clark 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/