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Bowdoin College vs University of Maine

Bowdoin College is a private college in Brunswick, ME. University of Maine is a public university in Orono, ME. Bowdoin College admits about 7% of applicants and University of Maine about 97%, making Bowdoin College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $14,398 a year at Bowdoin College after aid, and about $17,510 at University of Maine. About 95% of students graduate at Bowdoin College, compared with 56% at University of Maine. Ten years after enrolling, Bowdoin College alumni earn a median of about $82,735, against $48,653 for University of Maine.

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Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME · Private

University of Maine

Orono, ME · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Brunswick, ME
Orono, ME
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,873
8,496
Acceptance rate
7%
97%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.23–3.73
SAT (middle 50%)
1470–1550
1070–1330
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
22–30
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$14,398
$17,510
Full cost / yr
$85,100
$27,328
In-state tuition
$67,832
$13,326
Out-of-state tuition
$67,832
$36,756
Application fee
$65
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$3,145
$12,642
$30k - $48k
$2,800
$13,280
$48k - $75k
$9,007
$14,631
$75k - $110k
$13,801
$18,508
Over $110k
$35,196
$22,018
Outcomes
Graduation rate
95%
56%
Freshman retention
97%
83%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$61,692
$43,124
Median earnings (10 yr)
$82,735
$48,653
Median debt at graduation
$18,500
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
17%
23%
First-generation students
19%
23%
International students
7%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Dec 1
Regular decision
Jan 5
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Bowdoin College or University of Maine harder to get into?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 97% at University of Maine. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Bowdoin College or University of Maine?
Bowdoin College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,398 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $17,510 at University of Maine. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Bowdoin College and University of Maine?
Before aid, University of Maine costs about $27,328 a year and Bowdoin College about $85,100. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Bowdoin College or University of Maine?
Bowdoin College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $3,145 there, against about $12,642 at University of Maine. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Bowdoin College or University of Maine?
University of Maine is the larger of the two, with about 8,496 undergraduates against 1,873 at Bowdoin College.
Does Bowdoin College or University of Maine have a better graduation rate?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, at about 95% against 56% at University of Maine.
Do graduates of Bowdoin College or University of Maine earn more?
Bowdoin College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $82,735 ten years after enrolling, against about $48,653 for University of Maine. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Bowdoin College and University of Maine require SAT or ACT scores?
Bowdoin College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of Maine is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Bowdoin College and University of Maine look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1470–1550 at Bowdoin College and 1070–1330 at University of Maine. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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