Bowdoin College vs. Carleton College

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

Bowdoin College
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bowdoin College (7.1% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bowdoin College. Average net price is $22,228 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Bowdoin College 92% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bowdoin College $75,000 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

Bowdoin College Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Bowdoin College more selective
Bowdoin College7.1%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Bowdoin College1470-1550
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
Bowdoin College $5,819 less
Bowdoin College$22,228
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Bowdoin College $1,060 less
Bowdoin College$67,832
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Bowdoin College $1,060 less
Bowdoin College$67,832
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Carleton College +1 pts
Bowdoin College92%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bowdoin College +$9,400
Bowdoin College$75,000
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bowdoin College 13,265
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Bowdoin College 946
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bowdoin College 7.1%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bowdoin College 53.6%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bowdoin College 1510
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bowdoin College 34
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Bowdoin College Elite
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Bowdoin College Extreme
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Bowdoin College 1470-1550
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Bowdoin College 33-35
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Bowdoin College Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Bowdoin College $18,488
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Bowdoin College $22,228
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Bowdoin College $62,872
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bowdoin College 55%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bowdoin College 92%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bowdoin College $75,000
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bowdoin College 87%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bowdoin College $18,833
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Bowdoin College $194
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bowdoin College 9:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bowdoin College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (17%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Bowdoin College Distant Town
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Bowdoin College 1,881
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Bowdoin College Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bowdoin College #25
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

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

Carleton College is larger than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,881 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowdoin College 9:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 4.9% lower than at Bowdoin College ($17,586 vs. $18,488).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Carleton College than at Bowdoin College (about $1,060 more per year; $68,892 vs. $67,832).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Bowdoin College (59% vs. 55%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 10.6% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($62,872 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Bowdoin College than at Carleton College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bowdoin College and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $667 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($18,833 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($194 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowdoin College students, three years after graduation (92% 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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