Bowdoin College vs. Hampshire College

Should I go to Bowdoin College or Hampshire College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bowdoin College or Hampshire College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Bowdoin College vs. Hampshire College comparison
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Bowdoin College Hampshire College
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Overview

Bowdoin College Hampshire College
Location Brunswick, ME Amherst, MA
Setting Distant Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,915 508
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #25
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowdoin.edu hampshire.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowdoin College Hampshire College
Tuition (In State) $60,952 $52,714
Tuition (Out of State) $60,952 $52,714
Room & Board $16,772 $14,432
Avg Net Price $22,776 $24,087
Avg Grant Aid $53,534 $44,835
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 100%

Admission

Bowdoin College Hampshire College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,376 2,090
Admitted 862 1,440
Acceptance Rate 9.2% 68.9%
Enrolled % 58.9% 15.8%
Avg High School GPA - -
Typical High School Grades - -
Admissions Standards Elite Unavailable
Applicant Competition Extreme Low
ACT Range 33/35
SAT Range 1460/1560
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 5, 2024 Jan 15, 2024

Academics

Bowdoin College Hampshire College
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • Ethnic Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Bowdoin College Hampshire College
Graduation Rate 92% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,000 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 72%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,833 $23,531
Median Loan Payment $194 $243

Diversity

Bowdoin College Hampshire College
% Men 48% 37%
% Women 52% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 67%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 12% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 7%
% International 5% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

Bowdoin College Hampshire College
% In-State 9% 27%
% Out-of-State 83% 68%

Campus

Bowdoin College Hampshire College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bowdoin College is larger than than Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (1,915 students vs. 508 students)

Bowdoin College vs. Hampshire College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Hampshire College?

  • Bowdoin College is 15.6% more expensive to attend than Hampshire College for in-state tuition ($60,952.00 vs. $52,714.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.6% higher at Bowdoin College than Hampshire College ($60,952.00 vs. $52,714.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowdoin College than Hampshire College ($22,776 vs. $24,087)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hampshire College are 16.2% lower than costs at Bowdoin College ($14,432 vs. $16,772)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Hampshire College than Bowdoin College (100% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 19.4% larger than aid received Hampshire College ($53,534 vs. $44,835)

Bowdoin College vs. Hampshire College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowdoin College or Hampshire College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Hampshire College or Bowdoin College .

  • Hampshire College has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Bowdoin College (9.2%)

Bowdoin College vs. Hampshire College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowdoin College or Hampshire College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Hampshire College and Bowdoin College.

  • The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is higher than Hampshire College (92% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from Bowdoin College earn on average $37,900 more per year than Hampshire College graduates after ten years. ($75,000 vs. $37,100)
  • Bowdoin College students graduate with a $4,698 lower median federal student loan debt than Hampshire College graduates. ($18,833 vs. $23,531)
  • Bowdoin College graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans than Hampshire College graduates. ($194 vs. $243)
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hampshire College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/