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Brunswick , ME
Bowdoin College, founded in 1794, is a private liberal arts college located in Brunswick, Maine. Known for its rigorous academics, strong sense of community, and beautiful campus, Bowdoin College is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. With an enrollment of around 1,800 students, Bowdoin offers a personalized and student-centered education, where students work closely with faculty members who are leaders in their fields.
At Bowdoin, students have access to a wide range of academic disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and the arts. The college follows a distinctive liberal arts curriculum with a strong emphasis on critical thinking, writing, and problem-solving skills. Students are encouraged to explore multiple disciplines, pursue their passions, and engage in intellectual dialogue both in and outside the classroom.
The collegeÆs commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in its holistic admissions process, which values not only academic achievements but also personal qualities and extracurricular involvement. Bowdoin College takes pride in its close-knit community, where students and faculty members collaborate in research and co-curricular activities. The campus itself reflects the collegeÆs dedication to sustainability, with LEED-certified buildings and environmental initiatives that promote conservation and renewable energy. Overall, Bowdoin College offers a well-rounded liberal arts education that prepares students for success in their chosen fields while fostering a strong commitment to social responsibility and public service.
Located in Brunswick, ME, Bowdoin College is a private four-year college. This school follows a semester-based calendar. Admissions is extremely competitive, with an acceptance rate of a mere 7%. The freshman retention rate at Bowdoin College is 96.83% and the six-year graduation rate is 95%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 5. Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about Bowdoin College.
Quick Facts
1,881
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$71,070
Tuition
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
95%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Here are the most essential information you need to know about admission at Bowdoin College.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 946 in 2025. Bowdoin College has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, Bowdoin College provides a superior educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 31.16% and ACT scores 16.77%. 95% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600 and 5% between 1,200 and 1,399. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 99 and 1 between 24-29.
Deadlines
The closing date for applications to this school is January 5.
Retention Rate
The percentage of freshmen at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Bowdoin College was 96.83%, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 95%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the best fit for you is not a simple task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution had an enrollment of 1,881 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 89.32% for that year. There was a total of 1,881 undergrad students, including 128 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 7.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 898 male and 975 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Bowdoin College.
This school had 209 Asian students and 101 Afro-American students in 2025. 272 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 167 as multirace. The school also had 3 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 1 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 5 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Bowdoin College that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Bowdoin College estimated tuition costs.
Tuition in 2025 was $71,070 for full-time domestic students. As Bowdoin College is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students summed up to $670 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated expense of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $840.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Bowdoin College was $19,560 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school amounted to $9,678, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 71,070 |
| Room and Board | $ 19,560 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 840 |
| Total Expense | $ 91,470 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at Bowdoin College.
According to the most recent data, 268 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $68,758.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
956 students were given some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Bowdoin College is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 956. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $2,707,638, and state $122,300. The students of Bowdoin College received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $60,838,788, and external in the amount of $406,603.
$1,000
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $249,052. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,408,229 USD.
Open Applications
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Majors
Faculty
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Bowdoin College was 9:1: that means 9 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. This school has recently reported to have 238 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 115 male and 123 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Bowdoin College.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Bowdoin College: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Bowdoin College.
Its campus is 215 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 140. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is Bowdoin Organic Gardens, followed by Bowdoin Craft Center and Asian Students Alliance. Other popular organizations at Bowdoin College are Bowdoin Culinary Club and Bowdoin Outing Club.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students who have a passion for media and communication, Bowdoin College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Bowdoin College provides a number of services important for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of Bowdoin College.
All in all, campus life at Bowdoin College is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Bowdoin College.
Career Counselling
At Bowdoin College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library and a job bank. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career.
FAQ
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Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME.
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Bowdoin College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, the tuition for Bowdoin College is 71,070 USD a year.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Bowdoin College is 7%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Bowdoin College is 96.83%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
