Bowdoin College vs. Macalester College

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

Bowdoin College Macalester College
Location Brunswick, ME Saint Paul, MN
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 1,915 2,175
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #25 #97
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowdoin.edu macalester.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowdoin College Macalester College
Tuition (In State) $60,952 $62,270
Tuition (Out of State) $60,952 $62,270
Room & Board $16,772 $14,000
Avg Net Price $22,776 $36,095
Avg Grant Aid $53,534 $40,262
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 89%

Admission

Bowdoin College Macalester College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,376 8,434
Admitted 862 2,397
Acceptance Rate 9.2% 28.4%
Enrolled % 58.9% 23%
Avg High School GPA - 3.81
Typical High School Grades - A-
Admissions Standards Elite Exceptional
Applicant Competition Extreme High
ACT Range 33/35 30/34
SAT Range 1460/1560 1340/1500
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, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Bowdoin College Macalester College
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Foreign Languages (10%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Mathematics (6%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Bowdoin College Macalester College
Graduation Rate 92% 87%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,000 $54,100
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 89%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,833 $22,670
Median Loan Payment $194 $234

Diversity

Bowdoin College Macalester College
% Men 48% 42%
% Women 52% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 66%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 12% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 5%
% International 5% 14%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Bowdoin College Macalester College
% In-State 9% 18%
% Out-of-State 83% 69%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Macalester College is larger than than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (2,175 students vs. 1,915 students)

Bowdoin College vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Macalester College?

  • Macalester College is 2.2% more expensive to attend than Bowdoin College for in-state tuition ($62,270.00 vs. $60,952.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.2% higher at Macalester College than Bowdoin College ($62,270.00 vs. $60,952.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowdoin College than Macalester College ($22,776 vs. $36,095)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 19.8% lower than costs at Bowdoin College ($14,000 vs. $16,772)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Macalester College than Bowdoin College (89% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 33% larger than aid received Macalester College ($53,534 vs. $40,262)

Bowdoin College vs. Macalester College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.4%) than Bowdoin College (9.2%)

Bowdoin College vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowdoin College or Macalester College? 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 Macalester College and Bowdoin College.

  • The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is higher than Macalester College (92% vs. 87%)
  • Graduates from Bowdoin College earn on average $20,900 more per year than Macalester College graduates after ten years. ($75,000 vs. $54,100)
  • Bowdoin College students graduate with a $3,837 lower median federal student loan debt than Macalester College graduates. ($18,833 vs. $22,670)
  • Bowdoin College graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans than Macalester College graduates. ($194 vs. $234)
  • More Macalester College 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/