Bowdoin College vs. Northeastern

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME with Northeastern University in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern University is larger than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowdoin College 9:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

Bowdoin College vs. Northeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Northeastern? 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 Northeastern ($22,228 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 5.6% lower than at Northeastern University ($18,488 vs. $19,580).
• Bowdoin College is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern (about $1,670 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Bowdoin College than at Northeastern University (about $1,670 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Bowdoin College (66% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 24.7% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($62,872 vs. $50,421).

Bowdoin College vs. Northeastern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowdoin College (1510) is 20 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming Bowdoin College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Northeastern (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 1470/1550; Northeastern University 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 33/35; Northeastern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowdoin College - Test optional; Northeastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
• Bowdoin College has a higher acceptance rate (7.1%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

Bowdoin College vs. Northeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Bowdoin College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Northeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $69,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $9,042 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($18,833 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($194 vs. $288).
• More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 79%)

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.