Head-to-Head Comparison
Babson College vs Bowdoin College
- Babson Wins
- 18
- Tied
- 14
- Bowdoin Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bowdoin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,398 vs Babson College's $40,514, Bowdoin College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Bowdoin College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Babson
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, 50% more than Bowdoin College
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Bowdoin
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,398, roughly $26,116 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 7% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Babson graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (100% 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 Babson College over Bowdoin College. Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment vs $82,735.
Pick Bowdoin College over Babson College. Net price $14,398 vs $40,514.
Pick Babson College over Bowdoin College. 2.8% mobility rate vs 1.1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Babson 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 Babson College takes 17%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,457 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 $26,116 a year below Babson College's $40,514. Graduates of Bowdoin College also borrow less: median debt of $18,500, against $20,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $104,464 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, Babson College graduates report median earnings of $123,938, compared with $82,735 at Bowdoin College. That is a 50% advantage. Set against borrowing, Babson College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.16x to 0.22x.
So what: An earnings gap of 50% 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
Babson College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.8%; at Bowdoin College, it is 1.1%. Babson College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.6%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Babson 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 Babson College for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Bowdoin College saves about $26,116 a year, yet Babson College graduates earn $41,203 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, with a 7% admit rate, but Babson College posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.8%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Babson College concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Bowdoin College leans toward Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, 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 $40,514 runs well above Bowdoin College's $14,398.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Babson College's enrollment of 2,728 far exceeds Bowdoin College's 1,873.
- Business and consulting-track students: Bowdoin College has less business program depth, and Babson College offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bowdoin holds onto its admits more tightly: 54% of admitted students enroll, versus 39% at Babson — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Babson (27.5% Early Decision admit rate vs 14.9%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Babson, where only about 25% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
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
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Babson College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 17%, Babson College is a strong fit for students who are serious about pursuing a career in business and marketing. The intimate campus environment, home to around 2,728 students, fosters collaboration and networking among peers. Here, you’ll dive deep into practical studies that prepare you for real-world challenges, focusing on business principles and marketing strategies.
When we look at life after graduation, the numbers are promising. Graduates from Babson earn an impressive average of $123,938 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure reflects the college's focus on preparing students for high-earning roles in the competitive business landscape. It's worth noting that while the median debt stands at $20,000, this is manageable for the financial trajectory many graduates experience.
Cost is a crucial factor in choosing a college, and Babson's net price after aid is $40,514. This amount may seem high, but when considering the strong earning potential and the career opportunities that arise from a Babson education, many find it to be a worthwhile investment. Students who thrive here tend to be ambitious, driven, and ready to take on challenges in the business world.
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
Babson College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Business ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Babson's top program is Business Administration (100% of enrollment), while Bowdoin leads with Sociology (34%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Babson) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Bowdoin).
The two schools feed different job markets. Babson College is strongest in Business & Marketing, while Bowdoin College concentrates in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Physical Sciences, Computer Science & IT. 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 Babson College or Bowdoin College?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 17% at Babson College.
Which is more affordable, Babson College or Bowdoin College?
Bowdoin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,398 after aid versus $40,514 at Babson College.
Do Babson College or Bowdoin College graduates earn more?
Babson College graduates earn more: median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,735 at Bowdoin College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Babson College or Bowdoin College?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 93%.
Babson College vs Bowdoin College: which is better for social mobility?
Babson College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.8% versus 1.1%.
Should you choose Babson College or Bowdoin College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bowdoin College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Babson College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Babson and Bowdoin stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
