Wesleyan University vs. Bowdoin College

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

Wesleyan University Bowdoin College
Location Middletown, CT Brunswick, ME
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 3,253 1,915
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #33 #25
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wesleyan.edu bowdoin.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Wesleyan University Bowdoin College
Tuition (In State) $63,722 $60,952
Tuition (Out of State) $63,722 $60,952
Room & Board $18,180 $16,772
Avg Net Price $21,270 $22,776
Avg Grant Aid $59,825 $53,534
% Receiving Grant Aid 44% 52%

Admission

Wesleyan University Bowdoin College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,521 9,376
Admitted 2,096 862
Acceptance Rate 14.4% 9.2%
Enrolled % 35.4% 58.9%
Avg High School GPA - -
Typical High School Grades - -
Admissions Standards Exceptional Elite
Applicant Competition Very High Extreme
ACT Range 31/34 33/35
SAT Range 1320/1510 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 1, 2025 Jan 5, 2025

Academics

Wesleyan University Bowdoin College
Student to Faculty Ratio 7:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (24%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • Ethnic Studies (12%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Wesleyan University Bowdoin College
Graduation Rate 92% 92%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $58,000 $75,000
Making Student Loan Payments 89% 87%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $18,833
Median Loan Payment $180 $194

Diversity

Wesleyan University Bowdoin College
% Men 46% 48%
% Women 54% 52%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 53% 63%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 11% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 6%
% International 9% 5%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

Wesleyan University Bowdoin College
% In-State 8% 9%
% Out-of-State 80% 83%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Wesleyan University is larger than than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (3,253 students vs. 1,915 students)

Wesleyan University vs. Bowdoin College Cost Comparison

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

  • Wesleyan University is 4.5% more expensive to attend than Bowdoin College for in-state tuition ($63,722.00 vs. $60,952.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.5% higher at Wesleyan University than Bowdoin College ($63,722.00 vs. $60,952.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wesleyan University than Bowdoin College ($21,270 vs. $22,776)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 8.4% lower than costs at Wesleyan University ($16,772 vs. $18,180)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bowdoin College than Wesleyan University (52% vs. 44%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 11.8% larger than aid received Bowdoin College ($59,825 vs. $53,534)

Wesleyan University vs. Bowdoin College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (14.4%) than Bowdoin College (9.2%)

Wesleyan University vs. Bowdoin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Wesleyan 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 Wesleyan University.

  • The graduation rate at Wesleyan University is the same as at Bowdoin College (92% vs. 92%)
  • Graduates from Bowdoin College earn on average $17,000 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($75,000 vs. $58,000)
  • Wesleyan University students graduate with a $1,333 lower median federal student loan debt than Bowdoin College graduates. ($17,500 vs. $18,833)
  • Wesleyan University graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans than Bowdoin College graduates. ($180 vs. $194)
  • More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowdoin College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 87%)

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