Bowdoin College logo

Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME·Private·https://www.bowdoin.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D3Greek Life

Bowdoin College is a small private nonprofit college in Brunswick, ME. Approximately 1,873 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 7% acceptance rate. Cobbosseecontee Lake is about 21 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 44 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 39/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Bowdoin College is a small private nonprofit college in Brunswick, ME. Approximately 1,873 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 7% acceptance rate. Cobbosseecontee Lake is about 21 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 44 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 39/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

7%
Acceptance Rate
13,265 applications
34
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 33–35
$67,832
2024-25 Tuition
$14,398
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$18,488
Room & Board
21 meals/week
1,873
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
54%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
95%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity7% · Selective
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

730750770

SAT Math

740770780

Campus Lifestyle

Bowdoin College is a 1,000–4,999, small-town school with NCAA D3 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 22 miles from Lost Valley Ski Area.

Athletics

NCAA D3

New England Small College Athletic

Greek Life

Active Organizations

Fraternities & sororities present

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Town setting

Ski Access

22 miles

Lost Valley Ski Area

Weather

Cold Climate

39°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Bowdoin College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Lost Valley Ski Area, 22 miles away with 4 lifts and 45 skiable acres. All are within 44 miles of campus.

22 mi away
45 skiable acres4 lifts
Pleasant Mountain

Maine

44 mi away
239 skiable acres6 lifts
44 mi away

Nearby Lake

Cobbosseecontee Lake is 21 miles from campus, giving Bowdoin College students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Cobbosseecontee Lake

Lake access within 20.9 miles

21 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Brunswick, ME

Brunswick has a cool climate, with winters averaging 21°F in Jan and summers peaking around 69°F in Jul.

21°Jan23°Feb32°Mar43°Apr54°May63°Jun69°Jul68°Aug60°Sep49°Oct38°Nov28°Dec

Station: BRUNSWICK NAS · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Bowdoin College in ME earns a composite safety score of 39/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

39/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety345134
34/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
51/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
34/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$67,832
Fees
$546
Room & Board
$18,488
Total
$86,866
App Fee: $65
Meal Plan: 21 meals/week
$14,398avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

36 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

EconomicsBachelor's
85 grads/yr$121,983
Political Science and GovernmentBachelor's
77 grads/yr$89,253
Biology, GeneralBachelor's
47 grads/yr
MathematicsBachelor's
41 grads/yr
Area StudiesBachelor's
39 grads/yr$75,966

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Computer Science
Bachelor's28 grads$137,611
Economics
Bachelor's85 grads$121,983
Political Science and Government
Bachelor's77 grads$89,253
Area Studies
Bachelor's39 grads$75,966
Biology, General
Bachelor's47 grads
Mathematics
Bachelor's41 grads
English Language and Literature, General
Bachelor's36 grads
Research and Experimental Psychology
Bachelor's29 grads
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
Bachelor's28 grads
History
Bachelor's26 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Bowdoin College located?

Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME. The main campus address is 255 Maine Street, Brunswick, ME. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Bowdoin College?

Bowdoin College has an acceptance rate of 7%, making it extremely selective. Out of 13,265 applicants, 946 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,873 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Bowdoin College?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Bowdoin College scored between 33 and 35 on the ACT, with a median of 34. About 17% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Bowdoin College?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Bowdoin College charges $67,832/year in tuition. Including room and board ($18,488/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $58,322/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $14,398/year — what students actually pay. Use Bowdoin College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Bowdoin College?

The undergraduate application fee at Bowdoin College is $65. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Bowdoin College have college sports?

Yes — Bowdoin College competes at the NCAA D3 level in the New England Small College Athletic. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Bowdoin College the right fit for me?

Whether Bowdoin College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (7% admit rate), avg net price ($14,398/year after aid), campus culture in Brunswick, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Bowdoin College against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Bowdoin College directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Brunswick, ME
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
New England Small College Athletic
School Year Weather
Cold · 39°F avg
App Fee
$65
On Campus Safety Score
39/100
Nearest Airport
Brunswick, ME (NHZ) · 2 mialso PWM (25 mi), AUG (30 mi)

Location

Brunswick, ME

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.