Bowdoin College vs. PLU

Should I go to Bowdoin College or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bowdoin College or PLU 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. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Bowdoin College Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Bowdoin College Pacific Lutheran University
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Overview

Bowdoin College PLU
Location Brunswick, ME Tacoma, WA
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,915 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #25 #311
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowdoin.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowdoin College PLU
Tuition (In State) $60,952 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $60,952 $49,472
Room & Board $16,772 $11,826
Avg Net Price $22,776 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $53,534 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 99%

Admission

Bowdoin College PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,376 3,334
Admitted 862 2,964
Acceptance Rate 9.2% 88.9%
Enrolled % 58.9% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA - 3.71
Typical High School Grades - A-
Admissions Standards Elite Very High
Applicant Competition Extreme
ACT Range 33/35 27/30
SAT Range 1460/1560 1253/1423
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 5, 2024 Aug 15, 2024

Academics

Bowdoin College PLU
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%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Bowdoin College PLU
Graduation Rate 92% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,000 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,833 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $194 $266

Diversity

Bowdoin College PLU
% Men 48% 36%
% Women 52% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 68%
% Black 5% 3%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 6% 7%
% International 5% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Bowdoin College PLU
% In-State 9% 74%
% Out-of-State 83% 22%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 1,915 students)

Bowdoin College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or PLU?

  • Bowdoin College is 23.2% more expensive to attend than PLU for in-state tuition ($60,952.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.2% higher at Bowdoin College than Pacific Lutheran University ($60,952.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowdoin College than PLU ($22,776 vs. $24,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 41.8% lower than costs at Bowdoin College ($11,826 vs. $16,772)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Bowdoin College (99% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 46.9% larger than aid received Pacific Lutheran University ($53,534 vs. $36,435)

Bowdoin College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Bowdoin College (9.2%)

Bowdoin College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bowdoin College or PLU? 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 PLU and Bowdoin College.

  • The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (92% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Bowdoin College earn on average $22,700 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($75,000 vs. $52,300)
  • Bowdoin College students graduate with a $6,967 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($18,833 vs. $25,800)
  • Bowdoin College graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($194 vs. $266)
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 74%)

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