Bowdoin College vs. University of Maine

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

Bowdoin College University of Maine
Location Brunswick, ME Orono, ME
Setting Distant Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 1,850 11,760
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #26 #503
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowdoin.edu umaine.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowdoin College University of Maine
Tuition (In State) $64,304 $12,000
Tuition (Out of State) $64,304 $34,740
Room & Board $17,690 $12,696
Avg Net Price $23,110 $18,237
Avg Grant Aid $57,280 $11,376
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 97%

Admission

Bowdoin College University of Maine
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,966 13,995
Admitted 879 13,395
Acceptance Rate 8% 95.7%
Enrolled % 57.3% 13.9%
Avg High School GPA - 3.42
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Elite Difficult
Applicant Competition Extreme
ACT Range 33/35 22/30
SAT Range 1480/1550 1070/1330
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 5, 2026

Academics

Bowdoin College University of Maine
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

Bowdoin College University of Maine
Graduation Rate 92% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,000 $46,700
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,833 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $194 $268

Diversity

Bowdoin College University of Maine
% Men 0% 8%
% Women 0% 13%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 82%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 12% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

Bowdoin College University of Maine
% In-State 10% 59%
% Out-of-State 81% 40%

Campus

Bowdoin College University of Maine
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

  • University of Maine is larger than than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (11,760 students vs. 1,850 students)

Bowdoin College vs. University of Maine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or University of Maine?

  • Bowdoin College is 435.9% more expensive to attend than University of Maine for in-state tuition ($64,304.00 vs. $12,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 85.1% higher at Bowdoin College than University of Maine ($64,304.00 vs. $34,740.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Maine than Bowdoin College ($18,237 vs. $23,110)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maine are 39.3% lower than costs at Bowdoin College ($12,696 vs. $17,690)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Maine than Bowdoin College (97% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 403.5% larger than aid received University of Maine ($57,280 vs. $11,376)

Bowdoin College vs. University of Maine Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • University of Maine has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Bowdoin College (8%)

Bowdoin College vs. University of Maine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowdoin College or University of Maine? 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 University of Maine and Bowdoin College.

  • The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is higher than University of Maine (92% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Bowdoin College earn on average $28,300 more per year than University of Maine graduates after ten years. ($75,000 vs. $46,700)
  • Bowdoin College students graduate with a $7,167 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Maine graduates. ($18,833 vs. $26,000)
  • Bowdoin College graduates are paying $74 less per month on federal student loans than University of Maine graduates. ($194 vs. $268)
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Maine students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 74%)

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