Head-to-Head Comparison
Amherst College vs Bowdoin College
- Amherst Wins
- 22
- Tied
- 13
- Bowdoin Wins
- 13
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bowdoin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,398 vs Amherst College's $23,367, Bowdoin College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Bowdoin College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $82,735 at ten years.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Amherst
- Less debt: Median debt of $13,740, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Bowdoin
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment, 7% more than Amherst College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,398, roughly $8,969 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Amherst graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (20% of degrees); Bowdoin in Social Sciences (34%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Bowdoin College over Amherst College. Median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment vs $77,644.
Pick Bowdoin College over Amherst College. Net price $14,398 vs $23,367.
Pick Amherst College over Bowdoin College. 2% mobility rate vs 1.1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Amherst College and Bowdoin College are close on paper, but Bowdoin College wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Bowdoin College is the harder admit. It takes 7% of applicants, while Amherst College takes 9%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,533 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Bowdoin College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Bowdoin College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $14,398, about $8,969 a year below Amherst College's $23,367. Graduates of Amherst College also borrow less: median debt of $13,740, against $18,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $35,876 before any change in aid. Choosing Bowdoin College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Bowdoin College graduates report median earnings of $82,735, compared with $77,644 at Amherst College. That is a 7% advantage. Set against borrowing, Amherst College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.22x.
So what: An earnings gap of 7% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Amherst College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2%; at Bowdoin College, it is 1.1%. Amherst College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.6%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Amherst College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Bowdoin College to keep costs and debt down; pick Amherst College if upward mobility and access matter most.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, with a 7% admit rate, but Amherst College posts the higher mobility rate, at 2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Amherst College concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, while Bowdoin College leans toward Physical Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $23,367 runs well above Bowdoin College's $14,398.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $18,500, against $13,740 at Amherst College.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bowdoin holds onto its admits more tightly: 54% of admitted students enroll, versus 39% at Amherst — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Amherst (29.4% Early Decision admit rate vs 14.9%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
The Overviews
Amherst College
Amherst, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 9%, Amherst College attracts students who are academically driven and eager to engage in a close-knit learning environment. This college is a great fit for those interested in fields like Social Sciences, Biology, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences. The small student body of around 1,911 fosters a sense of community, making it easier for students to connect with faculty and peers while diving deep into their studies.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an impressive average of $77,644 within ten years. This figure reflects the strong outcomes for graduates, many of whom find opportunities to advance in their careers. While the Pell Grant rate sits at 20%, indicating support for lower-income students, the emphasis remains on ensuring that all graduates can make strides in their professional lives without being overly burdened by financial constraints.
In terms of affordability, the net price after aid comes to about $23,367, with a median debt of $13,740 for those who do take loans. This financial picture suggests that students who thrive here often come from a variety of backgrounds but share a common commitment to their education. With a graduation rate of 94%, it’s clear that students who choose Amherst tend to find their place and succeed, making the investment in their education worthwhile.
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 7%, Bowdoin College is an excellent fit for students who are academically driven and ready to engage in a tight-knit community. With a total enrollment of 1,873, this private nonprofit institution in Brunswick, Maine, stands out for its strong emphasis on the liberal arts. Students here often delve into social sciences, biology, physical sciences, computer science, and mathematics, allowing them to develop a well-rounded education that prepares them for various career paths.
When it comes to life after graduation, Bowdoin graduates see solid earnings, with a 10-year median income of $82,735. This financial stability highlights the value of a Bowdoin degree in the job market. While 17% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to supporting those with financial need, the college’s overall affordability makes it a viable option for many families looking for a meaningful investment in education.
Looking at the numbers, the net price after aid is $14,398, and the median debt for graduates is $18,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students can graduate with a reasonable financial outlook. Bowdoin tends to attract students who thrive in an intellectually stimulating environment and are eager to contribute to their communities, both on campus and beyond.
Rankings They Appear On
Amherst College and Bowdoin College appear together in 2 rankings. On the Best Liberal Arts Colleges, Amherst College ranks #4 — Amherst College outranks Bowdoin College by 1 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 20% of Amherst's student body and 34% of Bowdoin's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Amherst) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Bowdoin).
The two schools feed different job markets. Amherst College is strongest in Mathematics & Statistics, while Bowdoin College concentrates in Physical Sciences. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Amherst College or Bowdoin College?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 9% at Amherst College.
Which is more affordable, Amherst College or Bowdoin College?
Bowdoin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,398 after aid versus $23,367 at Amherst College.
Do Amherst College or Bowdoin College graduates earn more?
Bowdoin College graduates earn more: median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment, versus $77,644 at Amherst College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Amherst College or Bowdoin College?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 94%.
Amherst College vs Bowdoin College: which is better for social mobility?
Amherst College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2% versus 1.1%.
Should you choose Amherst College or Bowdoin College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bowdoin College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Amherst College if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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