Oxy vs. Bowdoin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA with Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Occidental College and Bowdoin College have the same total student enrollment (1,881 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Oxy vs. Bowdoin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy 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 Oxy ($22,228 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 4% lower than at Occidental College ($18,488 vs. $19,252).
• Bowdoin College is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $1,558 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Bowdoin College than at Occidental College (about $1,558 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Bowdoin College (75% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 72.7% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($62,872 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Bowdoin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oxy 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 Oxy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowdoin College (1510) is 60 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Bowdoin College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oxy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Bowdoin College 1470/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Bowdoin College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Bowdoin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027.
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 53.6% at Bowdoin College.

Oxy vs. Bowdoin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy 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 Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $18,400 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $4,819 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($18,833 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($194 vs. $244).
• More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 87%)

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.