Bowdoin vs Colby
What each college publishes, side by side. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt come from federal data.
A+Compass Score: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Bowdoin CollegeBrunswick, MECompass Score: Exceptional · Top 2%A+Compass Score: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges.Colby CollegeWaterville, MECompass Score: Exceptional · Top 3%
At a glance
- Bowdoin has the higher graduation rate: 95% against 89% at Colby.
- For families earning $48,001 to $75,000, Colby has the lower price after aid: $3,666 a year, against $9,007 at Bowdoin.
- Bowdoin has the lower average price after aid: $14,398 a year, against $17,180 at Colby.
Scores
Compass Score
A+Compass Score: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. Top 2%
A+Compass Score: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. Top 3%
Academic Excellence
A+Academic Excellence: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. Top 2%
A+Academic Excellence: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. Top 3%
Value
A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. Top 3%
AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. Top 5%
The college
Category
Liberal arts colleges
Liberal arts colleges
Location
Brunswick, ME
Waterville, ME
Setting
Town
Town
Students
1,850
2,284
Sports
NCAA Division III · New England Small College Athletic Conference
NCAA Division III · New England Small College Athletic Conference
Admission
Admission rate
7%
7%
Average SAT
1520
1501
ACT middle 50%
33–35
32–34
Outcomes
Graduation rate
95%
89%
First-year retention
97%
94%
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$82,735
$80,490
Median debt
$18,500
$19,157
Cost
Average price after aid
$14,398
$17,180
Price after aid, by family income
Up to $30,000
$3,145
$4,049
$30,001–$48,000
$2,800
$1,251
$48,001–$75,000
$9,007
$3,666
$75,001–$110,000
$13,801
$12,106
Over $110,000
$35,196
$46,511
Top majors by graduate earnings
Bachelor's majors
- Computer science $137,611
- Economics $121,983
- Political science $89,253
- Area studies $75,966
- Economics $103,491
- Political science $96,621
- Area studies $64,207
- Natural resources and conservation $55,719
Compare with another college
The Compass Score and grades are College Compass Guide’s own ratings. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This comparison doesn’t rank the two colleges; the figures are shown as published.