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Bowdoin

Bowdoin College · Brunswick, Maine · Private

6.8%acceptance rate
1470–1540SAT middle 50%
33–35ACT middle 50%
$23,110average net price

Bowdoin admitted 6.8% of 14,045 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1470–1540 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 96% of students graduate within six years.

Your chances at Bowdoin

Enter a score to see whether Bowdoin is a reach, target or likely school for you.

or
Reach

It admits 6.8% of applicants, so it’s a reach for everyone, even with perfect scores.

A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more.

Early decision and early action

Early decision applicants were admitted at 15% (296 of 1,985), compared with 6.8% for all applicants.

Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.

What admissions weighs

How Bowdoin rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.

Very important

  • Course rigor
  • Class rank
  • GPA
  • Essay
  • Recommendations
  • Activities
  • Talent or ability
  • Character

Important

  • –

Considered

  • Test scores
  • Interview
  • First generation
  • Legacy
  • Where you live
  • State residency
  • Volunteering
  • Work experience
  • Showing interest

Not considered

  • Religion

What it costs

Full price with housing is $85,100 a year. After grants, students paid $23,110 on average.

Average price after grants, by family income:

  • $0–30k$3,275
  • $30–48k$3,464
  • $48–75k$6,764
  • $75–110k$20,899
  • $110k+$42,867

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