What makes Bowdoin different
- Cooperative, not competitive. Bowdoin describes an academic culture where students work together rather than compete.
- Research in every field. More than 200 students do faculty-mentored research each year, in every discipline.
- The Maine coast. A compact campus in a walkable town near the ocean, with an Amtrak station to Portland and Boston.
What Bowdoin students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): econometrics and quantitative economics (63), political science (60), biology (42), computer science (33), neuroscience (32) and mathematics (26). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at Bowdoin if…
- You want a close, residential college near the outdoors.
- You'd like to do research in any field.
- You prefer collaboration over competition.
Worth asking about
- What do students do on weekends in Brunswick?
- How does the Outing Club fit into campus life?
How Bowdoin compares with other liberal arts colleges
Bowdoin admitted 7.1% of applicants for fall 2024, tied with Pomona for the lowest rate in this group. See how these 20 liberal arts colleges compare.
FAQ
What is Bowdoin College's acceptance rate? 7.1% for fall 2024: 946 of 13,265 applicants were admitted.
Does Bowdoin have early decision? Yes. Bowdoin offers binding early decision, along with regular decision and the QuestBridge Match. Source
Does Bowdoin require the SAT or ACT? No. Bowdoin has been test-optional since 1969; 46% of the class of 2030 enrolled without scores. This applies to students applying in 2026–27 for fall 2027. Source
Does Bowdoin charge out-of-state tuition? No. Bowdoin is private, so published tuition and fees are the same for students from any state: $67,832 a year before aid. About 82% of first-year students came from outside Maine.
How much is Bowdoin tuition per semester? About $33,916 a semester, half the published $67,832 a year, before aid.
How many students go to Bowdoin? About 1,900 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What is Bowdoin known for? Its coastal Maine setting, collaborative culture and need-met aid without loans.
How much does Bowdoin cost? Published tuition and fees are $67,832 a year before aid, and the total cost of attendance is $85,100. Students who received aid paid $18,533 a year on average.
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