Bowdoin College vs. Penn State Scranton

Comparable Facts

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

Bowdoin College is larger than Penn State Scranton based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 800 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); Penn State Scranton is in Dunmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Scranton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowdoin College 9:1; Penn State Scranton 11:1.

Bowdoin College vs. Penn State Scranton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Penn State Scranton? 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 Penn State Scranton than Bowdoin College ($17,536 vs. $22,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Scranton are 17.4% lower than at Bowdoin College ($15,274 vs. $18,488).
• Bowdoin College is 346% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Scranton (about $52,624 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 167.1% higher at Bowdoin College than at Penn State Scranton (about $42,440 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Scranton than at Bowdoin College (80% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 523.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Scranton students ($62,872 vs. $10,089).

Bowdoin College vs. Penn State Scranton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowdoin College or Penn State Scranton? 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 Penn State Scranton and Bowdoin College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowdoin College (1510) is 320 points higher than at Penn State Scranton (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 1470/1550; Penn State Scranton 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowdoin College - Test optional; Penn State Scranton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027.
• Penn State Scranton has a higher acceptance rate (98.5%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 8.6% at Penn State Scranton.

Bowdoin College vs. Penn State Scranton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowdoin College and Penn State Scranton? 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 Penn State Scranton's (46%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $19,700 more per year than Penn State Scranton graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $7,985 lower median loan debt than Penn State Scranton graduates ($18,833 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Scranton graduates ($194 vs. $277).
• More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Scranton students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 69%)

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.