Bowdoin College vs. Amherst

Bowdoin College and Amherst College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Bowdoin College
Amherst College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bowdoin College (7.1% admitted vs 9%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $22,228 at Bowdoin College.
  • Graduation: Bowdoin College 92% vs Amherst 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bowdoin College $75,000 vs Amherst $82,000 (median).
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Key differences

Bowdoin College Amherst College
Acceptance rate
Bowdoin College more selective
Bowdoin College7.1%
Amherst9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Bowdoin College1470-1550
Amherst1490-1580
Average net price
Amherst $3,179 less
Bowdoin College$22,228
Amherst$19,049
In-state tuition
Bowdoin College $2,648 less
Bowdoin College$67,832
Amherst$70,480
Out-of-state tuition
Bowdoin College $2,648 less
Bowdoin College$67,832
Amherst$70,480
Graduation rate
Amherst +4 pts
Bowdoin College92%
Amherst96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$7,000
Bowdoin College$75,000
Amherst$82,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bowdoin College 13,265
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Admitted
  • Bowdoin College 946
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bowdoin College 7.1%
  • Amherst 9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bowdoin College 53.6%
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bowdoin College 1510
  • Amherst 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bowdoin College 34
  • Amherst 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Amherst A
  • Admissions standards
  • Bowdoin College Elite
  • Amherst Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Bowdoin College Extreme
  • Amherst Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Bowdoin College 1470-1550
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • ACT range
  • Bowdoin College 33-35
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Bowdoin College Test optional
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Room & board
  • Bowdoin College $18,488
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Average net price
  • Bowdoin College $22,228
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Average grant aid
  • Bowdoin College $62,872
  • Amherst $68,591
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bowdoin College 55%
  • Amherst 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bowdoin College 92%
  • Amherst 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bowdoin College $75,000
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bowdoin College 87%
  • Amherst 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bowdoin College $18,833
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Median loan payment
  • Bowdoin College $194
  • Amherst $134
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bowdoin College 9:1
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bowdoin College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (17%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Setting
  • Bowdoin College Distant Town
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Bowdoin College 1,881
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Type
  • Bowdoin College Private 4 Year
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bowdoin College #25
  • Amherst #13

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME with Amherst College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Amherst College is larger than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,881 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
  • Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowdoin College 9:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 0.5% lower than at Bowdoin College ($18,390 vs. $18,488).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Amherst than at Bowdoin College (about $2,648 more per year; $70,480 vs. $67,832).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Bowdoin College (59% vs. 55%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 9.1% larger than aid received by Bowdoin College students ($68,591 vs. $62,872).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Bowdoin College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Amherst (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bowdoin College and Amherst.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $5,858 lower median loan debt than Bowdoin College graduates ($12,975 vs. $18,833).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowdoin College graduates ($134 vs. $194).
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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