Bowdoin College vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME with Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wellesley College is larger than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); Wellesley College is in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowdoin College 9:1; Wellesley College 7:1.

Bowdoin College vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Wellesley? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wellesley College than Bowdoin College ($22,174 vs. $22,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 12.1% lower than at Wellesley College ($18,488 vs. $21,024).
• Bowdoin College is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $656 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Bowdoin College than at Wellesley College (about $656 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowdoin College than at Wellesley College (55% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 2% larger than aid received by Bowdoin College students ($64,116 vs. $62,872).

Bowdoin College vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowdoin College or Wellesley? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Wellesley and Bowdoin College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowdoin College (1510) is the same as at Wellesley (1510).
• Incoming Bowdoin College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Wellesley (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 1470/1550; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 33/35; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowdoin College - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Bowdoin College vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowdoin College and Wellesley? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is the same as at Wellesley College (92% vs. 92%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $9,933 lower median loan debt than Bowdoin College graduates ($8,900 vs. $18,833).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $102 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowdoin College graduates ($92 vs. $194).
• More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 86%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.