Bowdoin College vs. Haverford College

Comparable Facts

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

Bowdoin College is larger than Haverford College based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,431 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bowdoin College vs. Haverford College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Haverford 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 Haverford College ($22,228 vs. $26,535).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 5.4% lower than at Haverford College ($18,488 vs. $19,548).
• Haverford College is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowdoin College (about $2,856 more per year; $70,688.00 vs. $67,832.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Haverford College than at Bowdoin College (about $2,856 more per year; $70,688.00 vs. $67,832.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowdoin College than at Haverford College (55% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Haverford College students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Bowdoin College students ($63,742 vs. $62,872).

Bowdoin College vs. Haverford College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowdoin College (1510) is the same as at Haverford College (1510).
• Incoming Bowdoin College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Haverford College (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 1470/1550; Haverford College 1460/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 33/35; Haverford College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowdoin College - Test optional; Haverford College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Haverford College Jan 15, 2027.
• Haverford College has a higher acceptance rate (12.4%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 42.6% at Haverford College.

Bowdoin College vs. Haverford College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowdoin College and Haverford 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).

• The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is the same as at Haverford College (92% vs. 92%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Haverford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $68,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Haverford College graduates have a $5,833 lower median loan debt than Bowdoin College graduates ($13,000 vs. $18,833).
• Among borrowers, Haverford College graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowdoin College graduates ($134 vs. $194).
• More Haverford College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowdoin College students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.