Claremont McKenna vs. Bowdoin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, 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 Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Bowdoin College is in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Bowdoin College 9:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. Bowdoin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna ($22,228 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 11.2% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($18,488 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowdoin College (about $148 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $67,832.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Bowdoin College (about $148 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $67,832.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowdoin College than at Claremont McKenna College (55% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 19.5% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($62,872 vs. $52,605).

Claremont McKenna vs. Bowdoin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 10 points higher than at Bowdoin College (1510).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Bowdoin College (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Bowdoin College 1470/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Bowdoin College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Bowdoin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027.
• Claremont McKenna has a higher acceptance rate (9.6%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 53.6% at Bowdoin College.

Claremont McKenna vs. Bowdoin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna College's (91%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $22,800 more per year than Bowdoin College graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $75,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $3,866 lower median loan debt than Bowdoin College graduates ($14,967 vs. $18,833).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowdoin College graduates ($154 vs. $194).

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.