Bowdoin College vs. Purchase College

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

 Bowdoin College Purchase College
Location Brunswick, ME Purchase, NY
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,850 3,229
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #26 #297
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowdoin.edu purchase.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Bowdoin College Purchase College
Tuition (In State) $64,304 $7,070
Tuition (Out of State) $64,304 $16,980
Room & Board $17,690 $15,400
Avg Net Price $23,110 $18,651
Avg Grant Aid $57,280 $9,627
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 72%

Admission

 Bowdoin College Purchase College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,966 7,221
Admitted 879 5,259
Acceptance Rate 8% 72.8%
Enrolled % 57.3% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA - 3.37
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Elite Very High
Applicant Competition Extreme Low
ACT Range 33/35 27/32
SAT Range 1480/1550 1178/1363
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, 2026 Jul 1, 2026

Academics

 Bowdoin College Purchase College
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (37%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (22%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

 Bowdoin College Purchase College
Graduation Rate 92% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,000 $40,200
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 65%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,833 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $194 $232

Diversity

 Bowdoin College Purchase College
% Men 0% 1%
% Women 0% 1%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 55%
% Black 5% 10%
% Hispanic 12% 18%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 5%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 7%

Students

 Bowdoin College Purchase College
% In-State 10% 78%
% Out-of-State 81% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • SUNY at Purchase College is larger than than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (3,229 students vs. 1,850 students)

Bowdoin College vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

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

  • Bowdoin College is 809.5% more expensive to attend than Purchase College for in-state tuition ($64,304.00 vs. $7,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 278.7% higher at Bowdoin College than SUNY at Purchase College ($64,304.00 vs. $16,980.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY at Purchase College than Bowdoin College ($18,651 vs. $23,110)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 14.9% lower than costs at Bowdoin College ($15,400 vs. $17,690)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than Bowdoin College (72% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 495% larger than aid received SUNY at Purchase College ($57,280 vs. $9,627)

Bowdoin College vs. Purchase College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (72.8%) than Bowdoin College (8%)

Bowdoin College vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowdoin College or Purchase 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 Purchase College and Bowdoin College.

  • The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is higher than SUNY at Purchase College (92% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Bowdoin College earn on average $34,800 more per year than Purchase College graduates after ten years. ($75,000 vs. $40,200)
  • Bowdoin College students graduate with a $3,667 lower median federal student loan debt than Purchase College graduates. ($18,833 vs. $22,500)
  • Bowdoin College graduates are paying $38 less per month on federal student loans than Purchase College graduates. ($194 vs. $232)
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 65%)

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