Head-to-Head Comparison
Binghamton University vs Bowdoin College
- Binghamton Wins
- 13
- Tied
- 14
- Bowdoin Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bowdoin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,398 vs Binghamton University's $21,620, 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.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Binghamton
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 5.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Bowdoin
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Binghamton University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,398, roughly $7,222 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 7% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Binghamton graduates concentrate in Biology & Biomedical (21% 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 Binghamton University. Median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment vs $80,596.
Pick Bowdoin College over Binghamton University. Net price $14,398 vs $21,620.
Pick Binghamton University over Bowdoin College. 5.1% mobility rate vs 1.1%.
Pick Bowdoin College over Binghamton University. 95% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Binghamton University 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 Binghamton University takes 39%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,415 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 $7,222 a year below Binghamton University's $21,620.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $28,888 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 $80,596 at Binghamton University. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, Bowdoin College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.22x to 0.23x.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% 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.
Finishing the degree
Bowdoin College graduates a larger share of its students, 95% versus 83%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 13% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Binghamton University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 5.1%; at Bowdoin College, it is 1.1%. Binghamton University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 9.4% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.6%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Binghamton University 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 Binghamton University 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 Binghamton University posts the higher mobility rate, at 5.1%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Binghamton University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, 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 $21,620 runs well above Bowdoin College's $14,398.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Binghamton University's enrollment of 14,655 far exceeds Bowdoin College's 1,873.
- Business and consulting-track students: Bowdoin College has less business program depth, and Binghamton University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bowdoin holds onto its admits more tightly: 54% of admitted students enroll, versus 15% at Binghamton — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
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
Binghamton University
Vestal, NY · Public
With an enrollment of over 14,600 students, Binghamton University in Vestal, New York, caters particularly well to those interested in fields like Biology, Business, Psychology, and Engineering. The acceptance rate of 39% suggests a competitive atmosphere, but for many students, the supportive environment and high graduation rate of 83% make it an appealing choice. It's a place where driven individuals can find their path and thrive academically.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, Binghamton graduates earn an impressive average of $80,596 within ten years of leaving school. This strong earning potential reflects the value of the education here, especially in high-demand fields. The affordability also stands out, with a net price of $21,620 and a median debt of $18,500, which is manageable for many students. About 28% of the student body receives Pell Grants, indicating that support is available for those who need it.
When considering the overall financial picture, Binghamton University positions itself as a reasonable option for students seeking a solid education without overwhelming debt. The combination of an affordable net price and a relatively low median debt means that graduates can focus on their careers rather than struggling with loans. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who value academic rigor and are motivated to make the most of their college experience, setting themselves up for success in their future endeavors.
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
Bowdoin College is featured on the Best Colleges in Maine ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Binghamton's top program is Biology (21% 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 Binghamton) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Bowdoin).
The two schools feed different job markets. Binghamton University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Psychology, while Bowdoin College concentrates in 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 Binghamton University or Bowdoin College?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 39% at Binghamton University.
Which is more affordable, Binghamton University or Bowdoin College?
Bowdoin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,398 after aid versus $21,620 at Binghamton University.
Do Binghamton University or Bowdoin College graduates earn more?
Bowdoin College graduates earn more: median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,596 at Binghamton University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Binghamton University or Bowdoin College?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 83%.
Binghamton University vs Bowdoin College: which is better for social mobility?
Binghamton University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 5.1% versus 1.1%.
Should you choose Binghamton University or Bowdoin College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bowdoin College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Binghamton University 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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