Is Amherst or Bowdoin harder to get into?

Bowdoin is harder to get into than Amherst. Bowdoin's 7.1% acceptance rate is lower than Amherst's 9.0%.

Which is cheaper, Amherst or Bowdoin?

Bowdoin costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Bowdoin's average net price is $14,398 vs $23,367 at Amherst.

Which has higher post-graduation earnings, Amherst or Bowdoin?

Bowdoin graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $77,644 at Amherst and $82,735 at Bowdoin.

Amherst vs. Bowdoin: Acceptance Rate, SAT, Cost & Outcomes Compared

Metric	Amherst	Bowdoin
Acceptance rate	9.0%	7.1%
SAT mid-50%	1490–1580	1470–1550
ACT mid-50%	33–35	33–35
Cost of attendance	$87,640	$85,100
Avg net price (after aid)	$23,367	$14,398
Undergrad enrollment	1,911	1,873
6-yr graduation rate	93.9%	95.3%
Median earnings (10yr)	$77,644	$82,735
Setting	Amherst, Massachusetts	Brunswick, Maine

The Real Differences

Bowdoin is modestly harder to get into. The 1.9-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.

Amherst draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1580 vs 1550 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.

Bowdoin is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $8,969 per year, $35,876 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.

Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Amherst is in Amherst, Massachusetts; Bowdoin is in Brunswick, Maine. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.

Amherst has a more international student body (13.1% non-resident students vs 6.8%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.

Student Body Composition

The two schools have different student body compositions. Amherst is 54.9% women, 13.1% international, and 16.5% Asian-American. Bowdoin is 52.1% women, 6.8% international, and 11.2% Asian-American.

Demographic	Amherst	Bowdoin
Women	54.9%	52.1%
International	13.1%	6.8%
White	36.4%	52.7%
Asian	16.5%	11.2%
Hispanic	13.8%	14.5%
Black	8.9%	5.4%

Personalized estimate

What are your odds at Amherst vs. Bowdoin?

Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.

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The Verdict

Pick Amherst if

Your odds are realistic at Amherst (slightly easier admit)
the open curriculum

Pick Bowdoin if

Net price matters: Bowdoin costs $8,969 less per year on average
Higher median post-grad earnings ($82,735 vs $77,644)
Higher 6-year graduation rate
the Common Good tradition

Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.

Full School Pages

For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:

Full profile

Amherst College

9.0% accept · Amherst, Massachusetts

Full profile

Bowdoin College

7.1% accept · Brunswick, Maine

Sources

U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.

Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.

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Amherst College vs. Bowdoin College