Bowdoin College vs. Barnard

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

Bowdoin College
Barnard College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bowdoin College (7.1% admitted vs 8.8%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bowdoin College. Average net price is $22,228 vs $26,407 at Barnard.
  • Graduation: Bowdoin College 92% vs Barnard 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bowdoin College $75,000 vs Barnard $66,900 (median).
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Key differences

Bowdoin College Barnard College
Acceptance rate
Bowdoin College more selective
Bowdoin College7.1%
Barnard8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Barnard higher
Bowdoin College1470-1550
Barnard1470-1560
Average net price
Bowdoin College $4,179 less
Bowdoin College$22,228
Barnard$26,407
In-state tuition
Bowdoin College $2,056 less
Bowdoin College$67,832
Barnard$69,888
Out-of-state tuition
Bowdoin College $2,056 less
Bowdoin College$67,832
Barnard$69,888
Graduation rate
Bowdoin College +0 pts
Bowdoin College92%
Barnard92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bowdoin College +$8,100
Bowdoin College$75,000
Barnard$66,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bowdoin College 13,265
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Admitted
  • Bowdoin College 946
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bowdoin College 7.1%
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bowdoin College 53.6%
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bowdoin College 1510
  • Barnard 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bowdoin College 34
  • Barnard 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Barnard A
  • Admissions standards
  • Bowdoin College Elite
  • Barnard Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Bowdoin College Extreme
  • Barnard Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Bowdoin College 1470-1550
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • Bowdoin College 33-35
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Bowdoin College Test optional
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Room & board
  • Bowdoin College $18,488
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Average net price
  • Bowdoin College $22,228
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Average grant aid
  • Bowdoin College $62,872
  • Barnard $63,131
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bowdoin College 55%
  • Barnard 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bowdoin College 92%
  • Barnard 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bowdoin College $75,000
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bowdoin College 87%
  • Barnard 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bowdoin College $18,833
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Median loan payment
  • Bowdoin College $194
  • Barnard $184
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bowdoin College 9:1
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bowdoin College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (17%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Bowdoin College Distant Town
  • Barnard Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Bowdoin College 1,881
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Type
  • Bowdoin College Private 4 Year
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bowdoin College #25
  • Barnard #35

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME with Barnard College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Barnard College is larger than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 1,881 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); Barnard College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowdoin College 9:1; Barnard College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 14.9% lower than at Barnard College ($18,488 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Barnard than at Bowdoin College (about $2,056 more per year; $69,888 vs. $67,832).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowdoin College than at Barnard College (55% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 0.4% larger than aid received by Bowdoin College students ($63,131 vs. $62,872).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Bowdoin College than at Barnard (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bowdoin College and Barnard.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $986 lower median loan debt than Bowdoin College graduates ($17,847 vs. $18,833).
  • Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowdoin College graduates ($184 vs. $194).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowdoin College students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 87%).

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

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