Head-to-head comparison
Bowdoin College vs. Claremont McKenna College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Bowdoin or CMC harder to get into?
Bowdoin is harder to get into than CMC. Bowdoin's 7.1% acceptance rate is lower than CMC's 9.6%.
Which is cheaper, Bowdoin or CMC?
Bowdoin costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Bowdoin's average net price is $14,398 vs $28,849 at CMC.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
CMC graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $82,735 at Bowdoin and $104,736 at CMC.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Bowdoin | CMC |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1470–1550 | 1470–1560 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $85,100 | $86,500 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $14,398 | $28,849 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,873 | 1,388 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 95.3% | 91.4% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $82,735 | $104,736 |
| Setting | Brunswick, Maine | Claremont, California |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Bowdoin is modestly harder to get into. The 2.5-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Bowdoin is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $14,451 per year, $57,804 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
CMC graduates earn $22,001 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Bowdoin grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Bowdoin is in Brunswick, Maine; CMC is in Claremont, California. 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.
CMC has a more international student body (14.8% 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. Bowdoin is 52.1% women, 6.8% international, and 11.2% Asian-American. CMC is 49.9% women, 14.8% international, and 17.1% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Bowdoin | CMC |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 52.1% | 49.9% |
| International | 6.8% | 14.8% |
| White | 52.7% | 35.7% |
| Asian | 11.2% | 17.1% |
| Hispanic | 14.5% | 14.8% |
| Black | 5.4% | 4.1% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Bowdoin vs. CMC?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Bowdoin if
- Net price matters: Bowdoin costs $14,451 less per year on average
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Common Good tradition
Pick CMC if
- Your odds are realistic at CMC (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($104,736 vs $82,735)
- the research institutes
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
Bowdoin College
7.1% accept · Brunswick, Maine
Full profile
Claremont McKenna College
9.6% accept · Claremont, California
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.