Bowdoin College vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Should I go to Bowdoin College or University of Massachusetts Lowell? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bowdoin College or University of Massachusetts-Lowell 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Bowdoin College vs. University of Massachusetts Lowell comparison
Bowdoin College University of Massachusetts Lowell College 3 College 4
Bowdoin College University of Massachusetts Lowell
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Bowdoin College University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Location Brunswick, ME Lowell, MA
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,850 16,770
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #26 #428
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowdoin.edu uml.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowdoin College University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Tuition (In State) $64,304 $15,850
Tuition (Out of State) $64,304 $34,676
Room & Board $17,690 $15,424
Avg Net Price $23,110 $17,624
Avg Grant Aid $57,280 $12,647
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 79%

Admission

Bowdoin College University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,966 12,628
Admitted 879 10,764
Acceptance Rate 8% 85.2%
Enrolled % 57.3% 19.4%
Avg High School GPA - 3.67
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Elite Difficult
Applicant Competition Extreme
ACT Range 33/35 26/30
SAT Range 1480/1550 1180/1350
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 Feb 15, 2026

Academics

Bowdoin College University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
  • Engineering (12%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (10%)

Outcomes

Bowdoin College University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Graduation Rate 92% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,000 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,833 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $194 $258

Diversity

Bowdoin College University of Massachusetts-Lowell
% Men 0% 15%
% Women 0% 13%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 64%
% Black 5% 6%
% Hispanic 12% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 5% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

Bowdoin College University of Massachusetts-Lowell
% In-State 10% 87%
% Out-of-State 81% 10%

Campus

Bowdoin College University of Massachusetts-Lowell
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 Massachusetts Lowell is larger than than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (16,770 students vs. 1,850 students)

Bowdoin College vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or University of Massachusetts-Lowell?

  • Bowdoin College is 305.7% more expensive to attend than University of Massachusetts-Lowell for in-state tuition ($64,304.00 vs. $15,850.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 85.4% higher at Bowdoin College than University of Massachusetts Lowell ($64,304.00 vs. $34,676.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Massachusetts Lowell than Bowdoin College ($17,624 vs. $23,110)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 14.7% lower than costs at Bowdoin College ($15,424 vs. $17,690)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than Bowdoin College (79% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 352.9% larger than aid received University of Massachusetts Lowell ($57,280 vs. $12,647)

Bowdoin College vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (85.2%) than Bowdoin College (8%)

Bowdoin College vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowdoin College or University of Massachusetts-Lowell? 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 Massachusetts-Lowell and Bowdoin College.

  • The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell (92% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Bowdoin College earn on average $19,700 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates after ten years. ($75,000 vs. $55,300)
  • Bowdoin College students graduate with a $6,167 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates. ($18,833 vs. $25,000)
  • Bowdoin College graduates are paying $64 less per month on federal student loans than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates. ($194 vs. $258)
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 63%)

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