Bowdoin College vs. Swarthmore vs. Claremont McKenna

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowdoin College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowdoin College 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Bowdoin College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Swarthmore? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowdoin College than Swarthmore ($22,228 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 9% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,488 vs. $20,308).
• Bowdoin College is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $2,338 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Bowdoin College than at Swarthmore College (about $2,338 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Bowdoin College (57% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 2% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($62,872 vs. $61,634).

Bowdoin College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowdoin College or Swarthmore? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Swarthmore and Bowdoin College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 20 points higher than at Bowdoin College (1510).
• Incoming Bowdoin College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Swarthmore (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bowdoin College 1470/1550; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bowdoin College 33/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowdoin College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Swarthmore has a higher acceptance rate (7.5%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Bowdoin College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowdoin College and Swarthmore? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Bowdoin College's (92%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $667 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($18,833 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($194 vs. $201).
• More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 87%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.