Head-to-head comparison
Bowdoin College vs. Colby College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Bowdoin or Colby harder to get into?
Colby is harder to get into than Bowdoin. Colby's 7.1% acceptance rate is lower than Bowdoin's 7.1%.
Which is cheaper, Bowdoin or Colby?
Bowdoin costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Bowdoin's average net price is $14,398 vs $17,180 at Colby.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Bowdoin graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $82,735 at Bowdoin and $80,490 at Colby.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Bowdoin | Colby |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 7.1% | 7.1% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1470–1550 | 1460–1550 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 32–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $85,100 | $85,420 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $14,398 | $17,180 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,873 | 2,407 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 95.3% | 88.8% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $82,735 | $80,490 |
| Setting | Brunswick, Maine | Waterville, Maine |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Bowdoin's 7.1% acceptance rate and Colby's 7.1% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Colby has a more international student body (11.2% 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.
Bowdoin's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (95.3% vs 88.8% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Bowdoin is 52.1% women, 6.8% international, and 11.2% Asian-American. Colby is 51.2% women, 11.2% international, and 10.2% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Bowdoin | Colby |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 52.1% | 51.2% |
| International | 6.8% | 11.2% |
| White | 52.7% | 54.9% |
| Asian | 11.2% | 10.2% |
| Hispanic | 14.5% | 8.4% |
| Black | 5.4% | 4.8% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Bowdoin vs. Colby?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Bowdoin if
- Your odds are realistic at Bowdoin (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Bowdoin costs $2,782 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($82,735 vs $80,490)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Common Good tradition
Pick Colby if
- Jan Plan month-long term
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
Colby College
7.1% accept · Waterville, 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.