Claremont McKenna vs. Bowdoin College

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

Claremont McKenna College
Bowdoin College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bowdoin College (7.1% admitted vs 9.6%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bowdoin College. Average net price is $22,228 vs $33,895 at Claremont McKenna.
  • Graduation: Claremont McKenna 91% vs Bowdoin College 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Claremont McKenna $97,800 vs Bowdoin College $75,000 (median).
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Key differences

Claremont McKenna College Bowdoin College
Acceptance rate
Bowdoin College more selective
Claremont McKenna9.6%
Bowdoin College7.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Claremont McKenna higher
Claremont McKenna1470-1560
Bowdoin College1470-1550
Average net price
Bowdoin College $11,667 less
Claremont McKenna$33,895
Bowdoin College$22,228
In-state tuition
Bowdoin College $148 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Bowdoin College$67,832
Out-of-state tuition
Bowdoin College $148 less
Claremont McKenna$67,980
Bowdoin College$67,832
Graduation rate
Bowdoin College +1 pts
Claremont McKenna91%
Bowdoin College92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Claremont McKenna +$22,800
Claremont McKenna$97,800
Bowdoin College$75,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Claremont McKenna 6,529
  • Bowdoin College 13,265
  • Admitted
  • Claremont McKenna 626
  • Bowdoin College 946
  • Acceptance rate
  • Claremont McKenna 9.6%
  • Bowdoin College 7.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Claremont McKenna 53.8%
  • Bowdoin College 53.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Claremont McKenna 1520
  • Bowdoin College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Claremont McKenna 34
  • Bowdoin College 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Claremont McKenna 3.89
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Claremont McKenna A
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Admissions standards
  • Claremont McKenna Elite
  • Bowdoin College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Claremont McKenna Very High
  • Bowdoin College Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Claremont McKenna 1470-1560
  • Bowdoin College 1470-1550
  • ACT range
  • Claremont McKenna 33-35
  • Bowdoin College 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Claremont McKenna Test optional
  • Bowdoin College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027
  • Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Claremont McKenna $67,980
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Room & board
  • Claremont McKenna $20,830
  • Bowdoin College $18,488
  • Average net price
  • Claremont McKenna $33,895
  • Bowdoin College $22,228
  • Average grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna $52,605
  • Bowdoin College $62,872
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Claremont McKenna 43%
  • Bowdoin College 55%
  • Graduation rate
  • Claremont McKenna 91%
  • Bowdoin College 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Claremont McKenna $97,800
  • Bowdoin College $75,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Claremont McKenna -
  • Bowdoin College 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Claremont McKenna $14,967
  • Bowdoin College $18,833
  • Median loan payment
  • Claremont McKenna $154
  • Bowdoin College $194
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Claremont McKenna 8:1
  • Bowdoin College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Claremont McKenna
    • Social Sciences (44%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Business (7%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Bowdoin College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (17%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Location
  • Claremont McKenna Claremont, CA
  • Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME
  • Setting
  • Claremont McKenna Large Suburban
  • Bowdoin College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Claremont McKenna 1,393
  • Bowdoin College 1,881
  • Type
  • Claremont McKenna Private 4 Year
  • Bowdoin College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Claremont McKenna #17
  • Bowdoin College #25

Comparable Facts

Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA with Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Bowdoin College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Bowdoin College is in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting).
  • Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Bowdoin College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 11.2% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($18,488 vs. $20,830).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Bowdoin College (about $148 more per year; $67,980 vs. $67,832).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowdoin College than at Claremont McKenna College (55% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 19.5% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($62,872 vs. $52,605).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Bowdoin College (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Claremont McKenna and Bowdoin College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 53.6% at Bowdoin College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $3,866 lower median loan debt than Bowdoin College graduates ($14,967 vs. $18,833).
  • Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowdoin College graduates ($154 vs. $194).

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

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