Bowdoin College vs. Lesley University

Should I go to Bowdoin College or Lesley University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bowdoin College or Lesley University 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Bates Wesleyan University Colby College Williams Middlebury Amherst Suffolk University Hamilton College Swarthmore UMass Holy Cross Colgate
Bowdoin College vs. Lesley University comparison
Bowdoin College Lesley University College 3 College 4
Bowdoin College Lesley University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Bowdoin College Lesley University
Location Brunswick, ME Cambridge, MA
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,915 3,406
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #25
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowdoin.edu lesley.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowdoin College Lesley University
Tuition (In State) $60,952 $30,514
Tuition (Out of State) $60,952 $30,514
Room & Board $16,772 $19,138
Avg Net Price $22,776 $32,414
Avg Grant Aid $53,534 $16,279
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 100%

Admission

Bowdoin College Lesley University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,376 3,144
Admitted 862 2,711
Acceptance Rate 9.2% 86.2%
Enrolled % 58.9% 8.9%
Avg High School GPA - 3.31
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Elite Unavailable
Applicant Competition Extreme
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

Academics

Bowdoin College Lesley University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (20%)
  • Psychology (20%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Work and Family Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Bowdoin College Lesley University
Graduation Rate 92% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,000 $38,600
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,833 $24,320
Median Loan Payment $194 $251

Diversity

Bowdoin College Lesley University
% Men 48% 20%
% Women 52% 80%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 67%
% Black 5% 7%
% Hispanic 12% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

Bowdoin College Lesley University
% In-State 9% 57%
% Out-of-State 83% 38%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Lesley University is larger than than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (3,406 students vs. 1,915 students)

Bowdoin College vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Lesley University?

  • Bowdoin College is 99.8% more expensive to attend than Lesley University for in-state tuition ($60,952.00 vs. $30,514.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 99.8% higher at Bowdoin College than Lesley University ($60,952.00 vs. $30,514.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowdoin College than Lesley University ($22,776 vs. $32,414)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 14.1% lower than costs at Lesley University ($16,772 vs. $19,138)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lesley University than Bowdoin College (100% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 228.9% larger than aid received Lesley University ($53,534 vs. $16,279)

Bowdoin College vs. Lesley University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Bowdoin College (9.2%)

Bowdoin College vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowdoin College or Lesley University? 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 Lesley University and Bowdoin College.

  • The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is higher than Lesley University (92% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Bowdoin College earn on average $36,400 more per year than Lesley University graduates after ten years. ($75,000 vs. $38,600)
  • Bowdoin College students graduate with a $5,487 lower median federal student loan debt than Lesley University graduates. ($18,833 vs. $24,320)
  • Bowdoin College graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Lesley University graduates. ($194 vs. $251)
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 63%)

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