Home Colleges & Universities Community Colleges International Colleges by Major Online Colleges

Bowdoin College

Bowdoin College is one of the most historic and prestigious private liberal arts colleges in the nation. It was established in 1794.

Historic buildings strewn Bowdoin College’s campus in Brunswick, Maine. Bowdoin College has a small student body, making professors more accessible than at larger private and state colleges and universities.

Bowdoin has been listed as one of the best liberal arts schools in the country by national publications. As a result, Bowdoin College is very selective.

The college offers an array of liberal arts and science academic programs including religious studies, philosophy, music, English, archaeology, art history, and classical studies. The science programs include neuroscience, environmental studies, computer science, and biochemistry.

Students not interested in traditional majors have the option of customizing or combining majors.

Numerous undergraduate research opportunities are available at Bowdoin College. Bowdoin students who’ve excelled at research have been awarded research fellowships at elite graduate schools. The Coastal Studies Center, a coastal issue and marine science research facility, is located at Bowdoin College.

Cultural opportunities are also available to students. An art museum and two theaters are located at Bowdoin.

Bowdoin College provides study abroad opportunities. Some programs provide students with the opportunity to study at a foreign university for a few semesters.

Tuition rates are high at Bowdoin College, but financial aid is available to students who qualify.

Admission Office
5000 College Station
Brunswick, ME 04011-8441
(207) 725-3100
Fax: (207) 725-3101
admissions@bowdoin.edu
Contact: Scott Meiklejohn
Dean of Admissions and Student Aid

Main Address
5700 College Station
Brunswick, ME 04011-8448
(207) 725-3000
www.bowdoin.edu

Size
Total undergrads: 1,723
First-time degree-seeking freshmen: 488
Degree-seeking undergrads: 1,716

Setting
Suburban setting
Large town (10,000 - 49,999)
Residential campus

Degrees offered:

Bachelor's

Tuition & Fees

Estimated Annual Expenses	2008-'09	2009-'10	2010-'11	2011-'12	% change 2010-'12
Tuition and fees	$36,370	$38,190	$40,020	$41,565	+3.86%
Books and Supplies	$800	$800	$800	$820	+2.50%
Living Arrangement - On Campus
Room and Board	$9,890	$10,380	$10,880	$11,315	+4.00%
Other	$1,200	$1,200	$1,200	$1,250	+4.17%
Living Arrangement - Off Campus
Room and Board	$0	$0	$0	$0	0.00%
Other	$0	$0	$0	$0	0.00%
Total Expenses	2008-'09	2009-'10	2010-'11	2011-'12	% change 2010-'12
In-state On Campus	$48,260	$50,570	$52,900	$54,950	+3.88%
In-state Off Campus	$37,170	$38,990	$40,820	$42,385	+3.83%
In-state with Family	$37,170	$38,990	$40,820	$42,385	+3.83%

Financial Aid

Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
Type of Aid	Students	Percent	Amount	Average Per Student
All students financial aid	218	45%
Grant or scholarship aid	218	45%	$6,693,809	$30,706
• Federal grants	64	13%	$424,344	$6,630
• Pell grants	64	13%	$266,344	$4,162
• Other federal grants	40	8%	$158,000	$3,950
State/local government grant or scholarships	28	6%	$25,636	$916
Institutional grants or scholarships	218	45%	$6,243,829	$28,641
Student loan aid	72	15%	$355,878	$4,943
• Federal student loans	72	15%	$355,878	$4,943
• Other student loans	0	0%	$0

All Majors and Programs

	BA/BS	MA/MS	PhD	AA/AS	CERT
Total of All Education Programs	581	-	-	-	-
Area, Gender, Cultural, Ethnic, and Group Studies	24	-	-	-	-
African Studies	3	-	-	-	-
Asian Studies/civilization	15	-	-	-	-
Latin American Studies	3	-	-	-	-
Russian, Central European, East European and Eurasian Studies	-	-	-	-	-
Women's Studies	3	-	-	-	-
Biology and Biomedical Sciences	65	-	-	-	-
Biochemistry	13	-	-	-	-
Biology and Biological Sciences, General	36	-	-	-	-
Neuroscience	16	-	-	-	-
Computing and Information Sciences	9	-	-	-	-
Computer Science	9	-	-	-	-
English Language, Composition and Literature/letters	45	-	-	-	-
English Language and Literature	45	-	-	-	-
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics	61	-	-	-	-
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics	6	-	-	-	-
French Language and Literature	16	-	-	-	-
German Language and Literature	13	-	-	-	-
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics	3	-	-	-	-
Russian Language and Literature	-	-	-	-	-
Spanish Language and Literature	23	-	-	-	-
History	35	-	-	-	-
History	35	-	-	-	-
Mathematics and Statistics	19	-	-	-	-
Mathematics	19	-	-	-	-
Multi-/interdisciplinary Studies	8	-	-	-	-
Ancient Studies/civilization	6	-	-	-	-
Classical, Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology	1	-	-	-	-
Mathematics and Computer Science	-	-	-	-	-
Multi-/interdisciplinary Studies, Other	1	-	-	-	-
Natural Resources and Conservation	24	-	-	-	-
Environmental Studies	24	-	-	-	-
Physical Sciences	29	-	-	-	-
Chemical Physics	1	-	-	-	-
Chemistry	7	-	-	-	-
Geochemistry	-	-	-	-	-
Geology and Earth Science	8	-	-	-	-
Geophysics and Seismology	-	-	-	-	-
Physics	13	-	-	-	-
Psychology	17	-	-	-	-
Psychology	17	-	-	-	-
Social Sciences	198	-	-	-	-
Anthropology	22	-	-	-	-
Archeology	-	-	-	-	-
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics	2	-	-	-	-
Economics	65	-	-	-	-
Political Science and Government	93	-	-	-	-
Sociology	16	-	-	-	-
Visual and Performing Arts	47	-	-	-	-
Art History, Criticism and Conservation	11	-	-	-	-
Fine/studio Arts	21	-	-	-	-
Music	13	-	-	-	-
Theatre Literature, History and Criticism	2	-	-	-	-

Above data represents first majors only.

(-) Indicates that a program is not offered at this level.

Admissions Information

Application Fee
College has an application fee: Yes
Regular application fee: $60
Online application fee: $60

Enrollment Rates
Percent applicants admitted: 16%
Percent of students who return for sophomore year: 97%

Admissions Considerations
Secondary school GPA: Recommended
Secondary school rank: Recommended
Secondary school record: Required
Recommendations: Required
Completion of college-prep program: Required
Admission test scores (SAT/ACT): Required
TOEFL: Required

Undergraduate Admissions Fall 2011
Number of Applicants: 6,554
Percent Admitted: 16%
Percented Admitted Who Enrolled: 46%

Test Scores: Fall 2011

SAT Critical Reading

670 (25th Percentile)
750 (75th Percentile)

SAT Math

660 (25th Percentile)
740 (75th Percentile)

SAT Writing

670 (25th Percentile)
760 (75th Percentile)

ACT Composite

30 (25th Percentile)
33 (75th Percentile)

ACT English

31 (25th Percentile)
35 (75th Percentile)

ACT Math

29 (25th Percentile)
34 (75th Percentile)

ACT Writing

8 (25th Percentile)
10 (75th Percentile)

Enrollment Statistics

Undergraduate Attendance Status

Undergraduate Student Gender

Undergraduate Student Age

Undergraduate Student Residence

Undergraduate Race/Ethnicity

Retention and Graduate Rates

Retention Rates for First-Time Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees

Overall Graduation and Transfer-Out Rates for Students

Graduation Rates for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees

6-Year Graduation Rate by Gender for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees

6-Year Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees

Undergraduate Majors

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies

African Studies B

Asian Studies B

Central/Eastern European Studies B

Latin American Studies B

Women's Studies B

Arts, Visual & Performing

Art History/Criticism/Conservation B

Fine/Studio Arts B

Music - General B

Theater Literature/History/Criticism B

Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Biochemistry B

Biology B

Computer & Information Sciences

Computer Science B

English Language & Literature

English Language & Literature - General B

Foreign Language & Literature

Classics B

French B

German B

Romance Languages B

Russian B

Spanish B

History

History - General B

Mathematics

Mathematics - General B

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Ancient Studies/Civilization B

Classical/Ancient Mediterranean/Near Eastern Studies B

Mathematics/Computer Science B

Neuroscience B

Natural Resources & Conservation

Environmental Studies B

Philosophy & Religion

Philosophy B

Religion/Religious Studies B

Physical Sciences

Chemical Physics B

Chemistry B

Geochemistry B

Geology B

GeophysicsSeismology B

Physics B

Psychology

Psychology - General B

Social Sciences

Anthropology B

Archaeology B

Econometrics B

Economics B

Political Science/Government B

Sociology B

Degree levels for each major are designated by the following letters:

*We do not guarantee the accuracy of information on this page. All information is subject to change. You should confirm all information with a college admissions officer.

College Degree Finder

Search our national database of online and campus based college degree programs.

Your Zip Code:

Online College Degree Programs
Explore distance learning degree programs that can be completed entirely online.
Degrees by level:
Associate Bachelor Master MBA Doctorate Certificates and Diplomas
Degrees by Subject:
Creative and Visual Art & Design Business Administration & Management Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Education & Training Engineering Health, Medicine, Nursing & Therapy Hospitality & Culinary Arts Liberal Arts & Humanities Natural & Physical Science Social Science Computer & Information Technology Vocational & Technical Training

College Rankings

Highest Acceptance Rate

Lowest Acceptance Rate

Most Students Receiving Merit Aid

Highest 4-year Graduation Rate

Top 25 Community Colleges

Top 100 Colleges by Highest Tuition

Top 100 Colleges by Highest Total Cost

Top Colleges by Salary of Graduates

Top Party Schools

Best Schools for Entrepreneurs

Top 25 Recruiters Picks