Bowdoin College vs. Cambridge College

Comparable Facts

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

Bowdoin College is larger than Cambridge College based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,835 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); Cambridge College is in Boston, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cambridge College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowdoin College 9:1; Cambridge College 12:1.

Bowdoin College vs. Cambridge College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Cambridge College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowdoin College than Cambridge College ($22,228 vs. $31,072).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cambridge College are 35.1% lower than at Bowdoin College ($12,000 vs. $18,488).
• Bowdoin College is 269.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cambridge College (about $49,454 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $18,378.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 269.1% higher at Bowdoin College than at Cambridge College (about $49,454 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $18,378.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowdoin College than at Cambridge College (55% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 1,995.7% larger than aid received by Cambridge College students ($62,872 vs. $3,000).

Bowdoin College vs. Cambridge College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowdoin College or Cambridge College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cambridge College and Bowdoin College.

• Cambridge College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bowdoin College 1470/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bowdoin College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowdoin College - Test optional; Cambridge College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027.

Bowdoin College vs. Cambridge College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowdoin College and Cambridge College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bowdoin College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Cambridge College's (8%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $35,800 more per year than Cambridge College graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $39,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $1,792 lower median loan debt than Cambridge College graduates ($18,833 vs. $20,625).
• Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cambridge College graduates ($194 vs. $213).
• More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cambridge College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 41%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.