Bowdoin College
Brunswick, Maine 04011
Data last updated: August 29, 2026
Among the most selective in the Northeast — top graduate earnings
Bowdoin College is a private town institution in Brunswick, Maine. Admission is competitive, with an average SAT of 1514.
A small campus of 1.8K undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.
96% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $82,735 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $20,786.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports — Polar Bears
History & Fun Facts
- •1845 (Lithograph by Fitz Hugh Lane) Bowdoin College was chartered in 1794 by the Massachusetts State Legislature and was later redirected under the jurisdiction of the Maine Legislature.
- •President Franklin Pierce and two literary figures, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, both of whom graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1825.
- •Brigadier General (and Brevet Major General) Joshua Chamberlain, a Bowdoin alumnus and professor, was present at the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House in 1865.
- •Fessenden (1823) and Hugh McCulloch (1827), both of whom served as Secretary of the Treasury during the Lincoln Administration.
- •The Jefferson Davis Award was established in 1972 following a donation from the United Daughters of the Confederacy and was given to students excelling in legal studies.
Source: Wikipedia
Notable Alumni
Franklin Pierce 1824
14th President of the United States
Nathaniel Hawthorne 1825
Renowned American novelist
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 1825
Celebrated American poet
Reed Hastings '83
Co-founder and CEO of Netflix
Joshua Chamberlain 1852
Union Army general and Maine governor
William Cohen '62
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense
George Mitchell '54
Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader
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Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1514
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Admissions
Application Platforms
Early Decision (Binding)
November 15
Decision by Mid-December
Aid deadline: November 15
Early Decision II (Binding)
January 3
Decision by Mid-February
Regular Decision
January 3
Decision by Late March
Reply by May 1
Bowdoin has been test-optional since 1969, pioneering this approach in college admissions
Bowdoin requires several supplemental essays exploring academic interests and why Bowdoin
Deadline Calendar
Typical Application Requirements
Decision Notifications
Transfer Admission
Fall Transfer
March 1
International Students
English Proficiency Requirements
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Financial Aid
Bowdoin eliminated loans from all financial aid packages
Bowdoin is need-blind for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
90.0%
Avg Tuition Increase
4.6%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$12,000
Academics
Bowdoin has an open curriculum with no distribution requirements, only a first-year seminar requirement
Research: Bowdoin offers extensive research opportunities including funded summer research programs
Thesis: Honors projects available across all departments
Programs (37)
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
98%
Campus Life
Housing & Residential Life
Housing Styles
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
11
Peer Average
13
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Estimated from ME state average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Getting Around
Walkability
Highly walkable campus in charming coastal Maine town
Visit Planning
Nearby Hotels
Plan Your Visit
Nearby Attractions
Brunswick Town Mallwalkable
Shopping and dining in downtown Brunswick
Bowdoin College Museum of Artwalkable
Museum featuring American and European art
Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museumwalkable
Museum dedicated to Arctic exploration
Maine Streetwalkable
Historic downtown with restaurants and shops
Freeport
Shopping destination home to L.L.Bean flagship store