Bowdoin College vs. Williams

Bowdoin College and Williams College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Bowdoin College
Williams College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bowdoin College (7.1% admitted vs 8.3%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1530.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $22,228 at Bowdoin College.
  • Graduation: Bowdoin College 92% vs Williams 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bowdoin College $75,000 vs Williams $73,600 (median).
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Key differences

Bowdoin College Williams College
Acceptance rate
Bowdoin College more selective
Bowdoin College7.1%
Williams8.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Bowdoin College1470-1550
Williams1490-1570
Average net price
Williams $6,334 less
Bowdoin College$22,228
Williams$15,894
In-state tuition
Bowdoin College $728 less
Bowdoin College$67,832
Williams$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
Bowdoin College $728 less
Bowdoin College$67,832
Williams$68,560
Graduation rate
Williams +3 pts
Bowdoin College92%
Williams95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bowdoin College +$1,400
Bowdoin College$75,000
Williams$73,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bowdoin College 13,265
  • Williams 15,411
  • Admitted
  • Bowdoin College 946
  • Williams 1,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bowdoin College 7.1%
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bowdoin College 53.6%
  • Williams 43%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bowdoin College 1510
  • Williams 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bowdoin College 34
  • Williams 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Williams 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Williams A
  • Admissions standards
  • Bowdoin College Elite
  • Williams Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Bowdoin College Extreme
  • Williams Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Bowdoin College 1470-1550
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • ACT range
  • Bowdoin College 33-35
  • Williams 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Bowdoin College Test optional
  • Williams Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Williams $68,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Williams $68,560
  • Room & board
  • Bowdoin College $18,488
  • Williams $17,260
  • Average net price
  • Bowdoin College $22,228
  • Williams $15,894
  • Average grant aid
  • Bowdoin College $62,872
  • Williams $68,966
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bowdoin College 55%
  • Williams 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bowdoin College 92%
  • Williams 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bowdoin College $75,000
  • Williams $73,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bowdoin College 87%
  • Williams 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bowdoin College $18,833
  • Williams $14,582
  • Median loan payment
  • Bowdoin College $194
  • Williams $150
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bowdoin College 9:1
  • Williams 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bowdoin College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (17%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Setting
  • Bowdoin College Distant Town
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Bowdoin College 1,881
  • Williams 2,164
  • Type
  • Bowdoin College Private 4 Year
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bowdoin College #25
  • Williams #14

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME with Williams College in Williamstown, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Williams College is larger than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 1,881 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
  • Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowdoin College 9:1; Williams College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 6.6% lower than at Bowdoin College ($17,260 vs. $18,488).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Williams than at Bowdoin College (about $728 more per year; $68,560 vs. $67,832).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowdoin College than at Williams College (55% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Bowdoin College students ($68,966 vs. $62,872).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Bowdoin College students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Williams (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bowdoin College and Williams.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 43% at Williams.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $4,251 lower median loan debt than Bowdoin College graduates ($14,582 vs. $18,833).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowdoin College graduates ($150 vs. $194).
  • More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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