Bowdoin College vs. University of Southern Maine

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

Bowdoin College University of Southern Maine
Location Brunswick, ME Portland, ME
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,850 7,528
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #26 #685
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowdoin.edu maine.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowdoin College University of Southern Maine
Tuition (In State) $64,304 $8,316
Tuition (Out of State) $64,304 $24,500
Room & Board $17,690 $11,650
Avg Net Price $23,110 $12,006
Avg Grant Aid $57,280 $10,158
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 95%

Admission

Bowdoin College University of Southern Maine
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,966 5,823
Admitted 879 4,618
Acceptance Rate 8% 79.3%
Enrolled % 57.3% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA - 3.33
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Elite Average
Applicant Competition Extreme
ACT Range 33/35 23/26
SAT Range 1480/1550 995/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jan 5, 2026

Academics

Bowdoin College University of Southern Maine
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

Bowdoin College University of Southern Maine
Graduation Rate 92% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,000 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,833 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $194 $232

Diversity

Bowdoin College University of Southern Maine
% Men 0% 6%
% Women 0% 21%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 82%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 12% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 5% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

Bowdoin College University of Southern Maine
% In-State 10% 66%
% Out-of-State 81% 32%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Southern Maine is larger than than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (7,528 students vs. 1,850 students)

Bowdoin College vs. University of Southern Maine Cost Comparison

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

  • Bowdoin College is 673.3% more expensive to attend than University of Southern Maine for in-state tuition ($64,304.00 vs. $8,316.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 162.5% higher at Bowdoin College than University of Southern Maine ($64,304.00 vs. $24,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Southern Maine than Bowdoin College ($12,006 vs. $23,110)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Maine are 51.8% lower than costs at Bowdoin College ($11,650 vs. $17,690)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Southern Maine than Bowdoin College (95% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 463.9% larger than aid received University of Southern Maine ($57,280 vs. $10,158)

Bowdoin College vs. University of Southern Maine Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • University of Southern Maine has a higher acceptance rate (79.3%) than Bowdoin College (8%)

Bowdoin College vs. University of Southern Maine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is higher than University of Southern Maine (92% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Bowdoin College earn on average $32,400 more per year than University of Southern Maine graduates after ten years. ($75,000 vs. $42,600)
  • Bowdoin College students graduate with a $3,667 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Southern Maine graduates. ($18,833 vs. $22,500)
  • Bowdoin College graduates are paying $38 less per month on federal student loans than University of Southern Maine graduates. ($194 vs. $232)
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Southern Maine students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 64%)

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