Bowdoin College vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

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

Bowdoin College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bowdoin College vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Reed? 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 Reed ($22,228 vs. $30,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Reed College are 4.5% lower than at Bowdoin College ($17,660 vs. $18,488).
• Reed College is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowdoin College (about $1,518 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $67,832.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Reed than at Bowdoin College (about $1,518 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $67,832.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Reed College than at Bowdoin College (58% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 13.4% larger than aid received by Reed College students ($62,872 vs. $55,445).

Bowdoin College vs. Reed Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowdoin College (1510) is 100 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Bowdoin College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Reed).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 1470/1550; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 33/35; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowdoin College - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027.
• Reed has a higher acceptance rate (24.6%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Bowdoin College vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowdoin College and Reed? 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 Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $27,800 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $2,833 lower median loan debt than Bowdoin College graduates ($16,000 vs. $18,833).
• Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowdoin College graduates ($165 vs. $194).
• More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Reed students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 84%)

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.