California College of the Arts vs. Bowdoin College

Comparable Facts

Compare California College of the Arts in San Francisco, CA with Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowdoin College is larger than California College of the Arts based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,308 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California College of the Arts is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); Bowdoin College is in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting).
• California College of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California College of the Arts 8:1; Bowdoin College 9:1.

California College of the Arts vs. Bowdoin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California College of the Arts or Bowdoin College? 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 Bowdoin College than California College of the Arts ($22,228 vs. $46,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 16.3% lower than at California College of the Arts ($18,488 vs. $22,099).
• Bowdoin College is 12.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California College of the Arts (about $7,606 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $60,226.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.6% higher at Bowdoin College than at California College of the Arts (about $7,606 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $60,226.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California College of the Arts than at Bowdoin College (96% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 90.8% larger than aid received by California College of the Arts students ($62,872 vs. $32,953).

California College of the Arts vs. Bowdoin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California College of the Arts or Bowdoin College? 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 Bowdoin College and California College of the Arts.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBowdoin College 1470/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBowdoin College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California College of the Arts - Test-free; Bowdoin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027.
• California College of the Arts has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8% at California College of the Arts vs. 53.6% at Bowdoin College.

California College of the Arts vs. Bowdoin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California College of the Arts and Bowdoin College? 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).

• Bowdoin College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than California College of the Arts's (49%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $31,500 more per year than California College of the Arts graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $9,167 lower median loan debt than California College of the Arts graduates ($18,833 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California College of the Arts graduates ($194 vs. $289).
• More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California College of the Arts students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 62%)

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.