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Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME·Private·~7% acceptance

Bowdoin College is a private college in Brunswick, ME. It admits about 7% of applicants, making it one of the most selective schools in the country. The average net price after aid is about $14,398 per year. About 95% of students graduate, and alumni earn a median of about $82,735 ten years after enrolling.

Average cost
$14,398/yr avg net price after aid
Full cost $85,100
Aid cuts ~$70,702/yr on average

Average across all aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual price depends on your family's income. Take the free Matchmaker for an estimate based on your numbers.

Deadlines
ED
Nov 15
EA
RD
Jan 5

ED and RD not confirmed with the college yet. Check their site before you rely on it.

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Your fit

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Admissions
GPA range3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)1470–1550
ACT (middle 50%)33–35
Test policyTest optional
Programs
Computer Science
Data Science / Statistics
Information Systems / IT
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Environmental Science
Outcomes
95%
graduation rate
97%
freshman retention
$61,692
median earnings, 6yr
$82,735
median earnings, 10yr
How Bowdoin College reads an application

What Bowdoin College values

Very important
Course rigorGrades (GPA)Class rankApplication essaysRecommendationsExtracurricularsTalent / abilityCharacter / personal qualities
Also considered
Test scoresInterviewFirst-generation statusAlumni relation (legacy)Geographic residenceState residencyVolunteer workWork experienceDemonstrated interest

From Bowdoin College’s Common Data Set. Put your effort where it counts most.

What Bowdoin College requires

Required
Course rigorCollege-prep programRecommendationsApplication essays
Considered
Grades (GPA)Class rankTest scoresDemonstration of competenciesWork experienceAlumni relation (legacy)TOEFL / English proficiencyOther test scores

From federal IPEDS data — what Bowdoin College requires vs considers (not how heavily each is weighed).

Frequently asked questions
When does Bowdoin College release admissions decisions?
Bowdoin College does not publish an exact date. Bowdoin College lists Early Decision 1 decisions as mid-December. Bowdoin College lists Early Decision 2 decisions as early February. Bowdoin College lists Regular Decision decisions as mid-March. These are quoted from its own admissions page: https://www.bowdoin.edu/admissions/apply/dates-deadlines/index.html Checked 2026-09-12.
What is Bowdoin College's acceptance rate?
Bowdoin College admits about 7% of applicants.
How much does Bowdoin College cost?
At Bowdoin College, the average net price after aid is about $14,398 per year, and the full cost of attendance is about $85,100 per year before aid. Your actual price depends on your family's income. Take Blueprint's free Matchmaker for an estimate based on your numbers.
What SAT or ACT scores do you need for Bowdoin College?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1470–1550 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT.
What are Bowdoin College's application deadlines?
Bowdoin College's deadlines are Early Decision around Nov 15, Regular Decision around Jan 5. Always confirm exact dates on the school's official site.
What does Bowdoin College value most in applicants?
In its most recent Common Data Set, Bowdoin College rates Course rigor, Grades (GPA), Class rank, Application essays, Recommendations, Extracurriculars, Talent / ability, and Character / personal qualities as "very important" in admissions decisions. Take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see how your profile lines up.

See if Bowdoin College is a fit for you

Two free steps: find your best-fit majors with the Discovery quiz, then run the College Matchmaker for your real admission odds and net price at Bowdoin College, side by side with your other schools.