Bowdoin College vs. Davidson

Comparable Facts

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

Bowdoin College is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bowdoin College vs. Davidson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Davidson? 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 Davidson ($22,228 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Davidson College are 7.5% lower than at Bowdoin College ($17,100 vs. $18,488).
• Bowdoin College is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Davidson (about $3,422 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Bowdoin College than at Davidson College (about $3,422 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Davidson College than at Bowdoin College (65% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 21.5% larger than aid received by Davidson College students ($62,872 vs. $51,755).

Bowdoin College vs. Davidson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowdoin College (1510) is 40 points higher than at Davidson (1470).
• Incoming Bowdoin College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Davidson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 1470/1550; Davidson College 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 33/35; Davidson College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowdoin College - Test optional; Davidson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Davidson has a higher acceptance rate (13.4%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 47.9% at Davidson.

Bowdoin College vs. Davidson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowdoin College and Davidson? 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).

• The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is the same as at Davidson College (92% vs. 92%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Davidson graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $63,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $1,833 lower median loan debt than Bowdoin College graduates ($17,000 vs. $18,833).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowdoin College graduates ($175 vs. $194).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowdoin College students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.