How much does Bowdoin College cost?

The average net price at Bowdoin College is $14,398 per year after financial aid. Over 4 years, that's approximately $57,592 total. Average student debt at graduation: $18,500.

What do Bowdoin College graduates earn?

Graduates of Bowdoin College earn a median salary of $82,735 ten years after enrollment. That's 54% above the national average.

What is the Bowdoin College acceptance rate?

Bowdoin College accepts approximately 7.1% of applicants.

Does Bowdoin College require SAT or ACT?

Bowdoin College is test-optional — applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores but they are not required. ACT or SAT Scores Bowdoin has been test optional for more than 50 years.

Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME

privateWebsite

100

Value

Median Earnings (10yr)

$82,735

+54% vs average

Net Price / Year

$14,398

-29% vs average

Graduation Rate

95%

Payback Period

0.7 years

Median Debt

$18,500

Student Body

1,873

Bowdoin College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)

Source: U.S. Dept of Education (College Scorecard)CollegeValueRanked

Admission Rate

Bowdoin College at a Glance

Bowdoin College is a private liberal arts college in Brunswick, Maine, United States. It was chartered in 1794.

Founded

1794

232 years old

Endowment

$2.9B

$2.92 billion (2025)

Undergraduates

1,841

Faculty

211

Campus

207 acres

Identity

Motto: Ut Aquila Versus Coelum ( Latin )Athletics: Polar BearsMascot: Peary the Polar BearColors: Black and whiteAffiliation: Annapolis Group CBBC CLAC COFHE Oberlin Group Space-grantPresident: Safa Zaki

Sources:Wikipedia

How to Apply to Bowdoin College

Official admissions page

Test-optionalCommon App memberInterview: Optional / where available

Application fee

$65

Fee waiver available

Testing policy

ACT or SAT Scores Bowdoin has been test optional for more than 50 years.

Interview

Interviews In-person and virtual interviews are available with Admissions staff members, students, and Bowdoin alumni.

Fee waiver

It is not necessary to request a fee waiver; it is automatically granted during the application process for the situations above.

Requirements can change between admissions cycles. Always verify current requirements on the official admissions page before applying.

Is Bowdoin College Worth It?

Bowdoin College is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $14,398/year net price and $82,735 median earnings, graduates earn 5.7× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.

The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.

With a 95% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.

The catch: admission is extremely selective at just 7%, making this an option only for top-tier applicants.

Bottom line: Bowdoin College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.

How Bowdoin College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally

Ranked #1 of 16 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.

Rank	College	Value	Net price / yr	Median earnings
#1	Bowdoin College	100	$14,398	$82,735
#2	Colby College	100	$17,180	$80,490
#3	Williams College	100	$17,716	$88,665
#4	Davidson College	100	$17,379	$81,400
#5	Pomona College	94	$19,285	$77,779
#6	Washington and Lee University	94	$23,781	$94,810

Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Bowdoin College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in ME.

Best Programs at Bowdoin College

The highest-earning program at Bowdoin College is Computer Science at $88,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Natural Resources Conservation and Research at $22,500/year.

Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Bowdoin College earns $88,700, while a Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduate earns $22,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.

Return on Investment

Estimated 4-Year Cost

$57,592

Based on $14,398/yr net price × 4 years

Earnings Premium

+54%

vs. national average of $53,787/yr

Payback Period

0.7 years

Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings

10-Year Net Gain

$769,758

Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance

Programs & Earnings by Major

Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):

Major	Earnings (4yr)	Earnings (1yr)	Median Debt
Computer Science	$88,700	$88,700	N/A
Economics	$65,100	$65,100	$21,000
Mathematics	$59,400	$59,400	N/A
Political Science and Government	$50,400	$50,400	$16,188
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	$22,500	$22,500	N/A

Similar Colleges in ME

Colby College

$80,490 earnings · $17,180/yr net price

100

University of Maine at Fort Kent

$51,077 earnings · $7,482/yr net price

University of Maine at Presque Isle

$40,956 earnings · $7,035/yr net price

Maine Maritime Academy

$89,964 earnings · $23,414/yr net price

Bates College

$69,498 earnings · $29,351/yr net price

View all colleges in ME →

Quick Facts

Institution Type: private
Location: Brunswick, ME
Student Body: 1,873 students
Admission Rate: 7%
Graduation Rate: 95%
Net Price (Annual): $14,398
Median Earnings (10yr): $82,735
Median Student Debt: $18,500

Explore More

Earnings & cost trends →All colleges in ME →Compare colleges →Our methodology →Best public colleges →

Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median earnings are measured 10 years after enrollment. Net price reflects average cost after grants and scholarships for students receiving federal financial aid. Value scores are calculated using our methodology.