Bowdoin College vs. Simmons University

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

Bowdoin College Simmons University
Location Brunswick, ME Boston, MA
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 1,915 5,710
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #25 #108
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowdoin.edu simmons.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowdoin College Simmons University
Tuition (In State) $60,952 $43,060
Tuition (Out of State) $60,952 $43,060
Room & Board $16,772 $16,368
Avg Net Price $22,776 $24,423
Avg Grant Aid $53,534 $36,606
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 100%

Admission

Bowdoin College Simmons University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,376 4,001
Admitted 862 3,059
Acceptance Rate 9.2% 76.5%
Enrolled % 58.9% 12.8%
Avg High School GPA - 3.87
Typical High School Grades - A-
Admissions Standards Elite Very High
Applicant Competition Extreme
ACT Range 33/35 28/32
SAT Range 1460/1560 1200/1390
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 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

Bowdoin College Simmons University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 7:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (6%)

Outcomes

Bowdoin College Simmons University
Graduation Rate 92% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,000 $52,800
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,833 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $194 $268

Diversity

Bowdoin College Simmons University
% Men 48% 8%
% Women 52% 92%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 67%
% Black 5% 7%
% Hispanic 12% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 4%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

Bowdoin College Simmons University
% In-State 9% 52%
% Out-of-State 83% 41%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Simmons University is larger than than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (5,710 students vs. 1,915 students)

Bowdoin College vs. Simmons University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Simmons University?

  • Bowdoin College is 41.6% more expensive to attend than Simmons University for in-state tuition ($60,952.00 vs. $43,060.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 41.6% higher at Bowdoin College than Simmons University ($60,952.00 vs. $43,060.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowdoin College than Simmons University ($22,776 vs. $24,423)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simmons University are 2.5% lower than costs at Bowdoin College ($16,368 vs. $16,772)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Simmons University than Bowdoin College (100% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 46.2% larger than aid received Simmons University ($53,534 vs. $36,606)

Bowdoin College vs. Simmons University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Simmons University has a higher acceptance rate (76.5%) than Bowdoin College (9.2%)

Bowdoin College vs. Simmons University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowdoin College or Simmons University? 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 Simmons University and Bowdoin College.

  • The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is higher than Simmons University (92% vs. 69%)
  • Graduates from Bowdoin College earn on average $22,200 more per year than Simmons University graduates after ten years. ($75,000 vs. $52,800)
  • Bowdoin College students graduate with a $7,167 lower median federal student loan debt than Simmons University graduates. ($18,833 vs. $26,000)
  • Bowdoin College graduates are paying $74 less per month on federal student loans than Simmons University graduates. ($194 vs. $268)
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simmons University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/