Bowdoin College vs. Colgate

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

Bowdoin College
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bowdoin College (7.1% admitted vs 13.9%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bowdoin College. Average net price is $22,228 vs $28,736 at Colgate.
  • Graduation: Bowdoin College 92% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bowdoin College $75,000 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

Bowdoin College Colgate University
Acceptance rate
Bowdoin College more selective
Bowdoin College7.1%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bowdoin College higher
Bowdoin College1470-1550
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
Bowdoin College $6,508 less
Bowdoin College$22,228
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
Bowdoin College $2,474 less
Bowdoin College$67,832
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
Bowdoin College $2,474 less
Bowdoin College$67,832
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Bowdoin College +0 pts
Bowdoin College92%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$300
Bowdoin College$75,000
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bowdoin College 13,265
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • Bowdoin College 946
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bowdoin College 7.1%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bowdoin College 53.6%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bowdoin College 1510
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bowdoin College 34
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bowdoin College Elite
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Bowdoin College Extreme
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • Bowdoin College 1470-1550
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Bowdoin College 33-35
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Bowdoin College Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • Bowdoin College $18,488
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • Bowdoin College $22,228
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • Bowdoin College $62,872
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bowdoin College 55%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bowdoin College 92%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bowdoin College $75,000
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bowdoin College 87%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bowdoin College $18,833
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • Bowdoin College $194
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bowdoin College 9:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bowdoin College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (17%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • Bowdoin College Distant Town
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Bowdoin College 1,881
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • Bowdoin College Private 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bowdoin College #25
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

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

Colgate University is larger than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 1,881 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 4.7% lower than at Bowdoin College ($17,610 vs. $18,488).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Colgate than at Bowdoin College (about $2,474 more per year; $70,306 vs. $67,832).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowdoin College than at Colgate University (55% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 7.8% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($62,872 vs. $58,334).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Bowdoin College than at Colgate (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bowdoin College and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $2,708 lower median loan debt than Bowdoin College graduates ($16,125 vs. $18,833).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowdoin College graduates ($166 vs. $194).
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate 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.

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