Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Brunswick, Maine |
| Online | bowdoin.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Bowdoin College, located in Brunswick, Maine, approximately 25 miles north of Portland, occupies a historic 215-acre campus featuring Federal and Greek Revival architecture. Founded in 1794, the private liberal arts institution maintains a selective admission process and operates on a residential college model where students are required to live on campus for their first two years. The college is known for its strength in environmental studies, government and legal studies, economics, and marine science programs, leveraging its coastal location through its Coastal Studies Center on Orr's Island. Bowdoin's academic offerings emphasize small class sizes and close faculty interaction, while its campus integrates traditional New England buildings with modern facilities including the Roux Center for the Environment and Schiller Coastal Studies Center. The college competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Polar Bears, maintaining a particular reputation in field hockey and sailing.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Bowdoin College is rated within the top 6% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Bowdoin College within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#26 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#26 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#1 in Best Colleges in Maine
#1 in Best Private Colleges in Maine
#21 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Value Colleges in Maine
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1480/1550 |
| ACT | 33/35 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 5, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Extreme |
| Application Fee | $65 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $840 |
| Other Fees | $606 |
| Room and Board | $17,690 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,660 |
| Total One Year Cost | $85,100 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 28% |
| Biology | 17% |
| Foreign Languages | 9% |
| Natural Resources Conservation | 7% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Bowdoin College are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=161004 IPEDS survey data for Bowdoin College.
Current students may use the Bowdoin College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025