Colby College vs. Bowdoin College vs. Bates

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 1,881 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colby College vs. Bowdoin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Bowdoin College? 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 Colby College than Bowdoin College ($16,219 vs. $22,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 3.2% lower than at Bowdoin College ($17,890 vs. $18,488).
• Colby College is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowdoin College (about $1,768 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $67,832.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Colby College than at Bowdoin College (about $1,768 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $67,832.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowdoin College than at Colby College (55% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 10.1% larger than aid received by Bowdoin College students ($69,201 vs. $62,872).

Colby College vs. Bowdoin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College or Bowdoin College? 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 Bowdoin College and Colby College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Colby College (1510) is the same as at Bowdoin College (1510).
• Incoming Bowdoin College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Colby College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Colby College 1460/1550; Bowdoin College 1470/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Colby College 32/34; Bowdoin College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Bowdoin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027.
• Bowdoin College has a higher acceptance rate (7.1%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 53.6% at Bowdoin College.

Colby College vs. Bowdoin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Bowdoin College? 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.

• Bowdoin College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Colby College's (91%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $512 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($18,833 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($194 vs. $200).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowdoin College students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.