Fairfield University vs. Bowdoin College

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

Fairfield University Bowdoin College
Location Fairfield, CT Brunswick, ME
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 6,019 1,915
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #138 #25
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu bowdoin.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Bowdoin College
Tuition (In State) $53,630 $60,952
Tuition (Out of State) $53,630 $60,952
Room & Board $16,750 $16,772
Avg Net Price $46,065 $22,776
Avg Grant Aid $25,279 $53,534
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 52%

Admission

Fairfield University Bowdoin College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,359 9,376
Admitted 6,971 862
Acceptance Rate 52.2% 9.2%
Enrolled % 19.1% 58.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Very High Elite
Applicant Competition Low Extreme
ACT Range 28/31 33/35
SAT Range 1240/1370 1460/1560
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 15, 2025 Jan 5, 2025

Academics

Fairfield University Bowdoin College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Bowdoin College
Graduation Rate 82% 92%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $75,000
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 87%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $18,833
Median Loan Payment $279 $194

Diversity

Fairfield University Bowdoin College
% Men 41% 48%
% Women 59% 52%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 63%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 7% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 6%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 8% 1%

Students

Fairfield University Bowdoin College
% In-State 15% 9%
% Out-of-State 84% 83%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Fairfield University is larger than than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (6,019 students vs. 1,915 students)

Fairfield University vs. Bowdoin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Bowdoin College?

  • Bowdoin College is 13.7% more expensive to attend than Fairfield University for in-state tuition ($60,952.00 vs. $53,630.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.7% higher at Bowdoin College than Fairfield University ($60,952.00 vs. $53,630.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowdoin College than Fairfield University ($22,776 vs. $46,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairfield University are 0.1% lower than costs at Bowdoin College ($16,750 vs. $16,772)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairfield University than Bowdoin College (94% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 111.8% larger than aid received Fairfield University ($53,534 vs. $25,279)

Fairfield University vs. Bowdoin College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Fairfield University has a higher acceptance rate (52.2%) than Bowdoin College (9.2%)

Fairfield University vs. Bowdoin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fairfield University or Bowdoin College? 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 Bowdoin College and Fairfield University.

  • The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is higher than Fairfield University (92% vs. 82%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $2,100 more per year than Bowdoin College graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $75,000)
  • Bowdoin College students graduate with a $8,167 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($18,833 vs. $27,000)
  • Bowdoin College graduates are paying $85 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($194 vs. $279)
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 82%)

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