About

About Bowdoin College

liberal arts collegehighly selective admissionssmall intimate campustest optional policy

Bowdoin College is a private liberal arts college in Brunswick, ME, known for its small intimate campus and test optional policy. With an acceptance rate of 9%, Bowdoin is one of the most selective colleges in the United States, typically enrolling around 508 students each year. Bowdoin is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1470–1530, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Students who apply Early Decision are admitted at 18%, meaningfully higher than the regular decision rate of 9%, making Early Decision a meaningful strategic consideration. Bowdoin meets 100% of demonstrated financial need and has replaced loans with grants.

Admissions

Bowdoin College acceptance rate and admitted student profile

one of the most selective colleges in the United States

9%
Overall Accept Rate
1500
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1470 – 1530 (test optional)

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ED advantage at Bowdoin College: ED acceptance rate is 18% vs 9% regular decision, roughly double. If Bowdoin Collegeis your first choice and you've confirmed the financial fit, Early Decision is one of the highest-leverage decisions you can make.

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Bowdoin College

Essay Strategy
Bowdoin places essays at the highest importance level, so use their supplemental prompts to show exactly why Brunswick, the Bowdoin Outing Club, the residential college system, or a specific faculty member's research connects to who you already are, not just who you hope to become.
Essay Strategy
Bowdoin readers look for students who are genuinely curious inside and outside the classroom, so if you write about an academic interest, ground it in a specific moment of discovery rather than listing accomplishments, because the school's mission centers on learning for its own sake.

Financial Aid & Cost

What Bowdoin College actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Loan-free financial aid: Bowdoin College has replaced all loans with grants. Bowdoin College's sticker price of ~$76k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceAvg. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$76k/yr$3.1k
30k-48k~$76k/yr$2.8k
48k-75k~$76k/yr$9.0k
75k-110k~$76k/yr$13.8k
110k+~$76k/yr$35.2k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

96%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$62k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
8:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
1,866
Undergrad Enrollment

Student Body

Student body composition

Race & Ethnicity

53%White
14%Hispanic
11%Asian
9%Two or More Races
7%International
5%Black / African American
0%Unknown / Unreported
0%Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%American Indian / AK Native
Gender48% Men · 52% Women
Citizenship / Immigration Status93% Citizens and Immigrants · 7% International
Bowdoin, Brunswick Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch