Bowdoin College vs. Clarkson

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

Bowdoin College
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bowdoin College (7.1% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bowdoin College. Average net price is $22,228 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Bowdoin College 92% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bowdoin College $75,000 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Bowdoin College Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Bowdoin College more selective
Bowdoin College7.1%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bowdoin College higher
Bowdoin College1470-1550
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Bowdoin College $10,178 less
Bowdoin College$22,228
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
Clarkson $8,434 less
Bowdoin College$67,832
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $8,434 less
Bowdoin College$67,832
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
Bowdoin College +20 pts
Bowdoin College92%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bowdoin College +$4,200
Bowdoin College$75,000
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Bowdoin College and Clarkson with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Bowdoin College Check my chances at Clarkson
  • Applied
  • Bowdoin College 13,265
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • Bowdoin College 946
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bowdoin College 7.1%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bowdoin College 53.6%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bowdoin College 1510
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bowdoin College 34
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bowdoin College Elite
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Bowdoin College Extreme
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • Bowdoin College 1470-1550
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • Bowdoin College 33-35
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Bowdoin College Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • Bowdoin College $18,488
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • Bowdoin College $22,228
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • Bowdoin College $62,872
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bowdoin College 55%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bowdoin College 92%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bowdoin College $75,000
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bowdoin College 87%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bowdoin College $18,833
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Bowdoin College $194
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bowdoin College 9:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bowdoin College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (17%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • Bowdoin College Distant Town
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Bowdoin College 1,881
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • Bowdoin College Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bowdoin College #25
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME with Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Clarkson University is larger than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 1,881 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowdoin College 9:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 1.3% lower than at Bowdoin College ($18,252 vs. $18,488).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at Bowdoin College than at Clarkson University (about $8,434 more per year; $67,832 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Bowdoin College (100% vs. 55%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 35.1% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($62,872 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Bowdoin College than at Clarkson (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bowdoin College and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $8,167 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($18,833 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($194 vs. $279).
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 86%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Bowdoin College
Clarkson University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges