Bowdoin College vs. Syracuse

Should I go to Bowdoin College or Syracuse University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bowdoin College or Syracuse 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 Penn State Binghamton University UB Fordham UVM Drexel RIT BU Skidmore College Wesleyan University AU
Bowdoin College vs. Syracuse University comparison
Bowdoin College Syracuse University College 3 College 4
Bowdoin College Syracuse University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Bowdoin College Syracuse
Location Brunswick, ME Syracuse, NY
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,915 22,698
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #25 #165
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bowdoin.edu syr.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bowdoin College Syracuse
Tuition (In State) $60,952 $58,440
Tuition (Out of State) $60,952 $58,440
Room & Board $16,772 $17,170
Avg Net Price $22,776 $43,651
Avg Grant Aid $53,534 $34,737
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 77%

Admission

Bowdoin College Syracuse
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,376 41,489
Admitted 862 21,471
Acceptance Rate 9.2% 51.8%
Enrolled % 58.9% 19.1%
Avg High School GPA - 3.69
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Elite Very High
Applicant Competition Extreme Low
ACT Range 33/35 28/32
SAT Range 1460/1560 1260/1430
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 Jan 1, 2024

Academics

Bowdoin College Syracuse
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Communication (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

Bowdoin College Syracuse
Graduation Rate 92% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $75,000 $65,900
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,833 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $194 $279

Diversity

Bowdoin College Syracuse
% Men 48% 46%
% Women 52% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 55%
% Black 5% 8%
% Hispanic 12% 11%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 5% 12%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Bowdoin College Syracuse
% In-State 9% 28%
% Out-of-State 83% 61%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Syracuse University is larger than than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (22,698 students vs. 1,915 students)

Bowdoin College vs. Syracuse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College or Syracuse?

  • Bowdoin College is 4.3% more expensive to attend than Syracuse for in-state tuition ($60,952.00 vs. $58,440.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.3% higher at Bowdoin College than Syracuse University ($60,952.00 vs. $58,440.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowdoin College than Syracuse ($22,776 vs. $43,651)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 2.4% lower than costs at Syracuse University ($16,772 vs. $17,170)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Syracuse University than Bowdoin College (77% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 54.1% larger than aid received Syracuse University ($53,534 vs. $34,737)

Bowdoin College vs. Syracuse Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Syracuse has a higher acceptance rate (51.8%) than Bowdoin College (9.2%)

Bowdoin College vs. Syracuse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Bowdoin College is higher than Syracuse University (92% vs. 80%)
  • Graduates from Bowdoin College earn on average $9,100 more per year than Syracuse graduates after ten years. ($75,000 vs. $65,900)
  • Bowdoin College students graduate with a $8,167 lower median federal student loan debt than Syracuse graduates. ($18,833 vs. $27,000)
  • Bowdoin College graduates are paying $85 less per month on federal student loans than Syracuse graduates. ($194 vs. $279)
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Syracuse students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 80%)

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