Head-to-Head Comparison
Bowdoin College vs Colby College
- Bowdoin Wins
- 26
- Tied
- 14
- Colby Wins
- 8
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bowdoin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,398 vs Colby College's $17,180, 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.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Bowdoin
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Colby College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,398, roughly $2,782 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
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Colby
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bowdoin graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (34% of degrees); Colby in Social Sciences (28%). 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 Colby College. Median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment vs $80,490.
Pick Bowdoin College over Colby College. Net price $14,398 vs $17,180.
Pick Bowdoin College over Colby College. 1.1% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Bowdoin College over Colby College. 95% completion rate vs 89%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bowdoin College and Colby College are close on paper, but Bowdoin College wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Colby College is the harder admit. It takes 7% of applicants, while Bowdoin College takes 7%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,501.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Colby 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 $2,782 a year below Colby College's $17,180. Graduates of Bowdoin College also borrow less: median debt of $18,500, against $19,157.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $11,128 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 $80,490 at Colby College. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, Bowdoin College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.22x to 0.24x.
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 89%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 6% 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
Bowdoin College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.1%; at Colby College, it is 0.9%. Bowdoin College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Bowdoin 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.
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
Colby College is harder to get into, with a 7% admit rate, but Bowdoin College posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.1%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Bowdoin College concentrates enrollment in Physical Sciences, while Colby College leans toward Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Bowdoin competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $17,180 runs well above Bowdoin College's $14,398.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bowdoin offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Colby does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
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
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.
Colby College
Waterville, ME · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 7%, Colby College is tailored for students who thrive in a highly selective environment and are eager to dive into topics like Social Sciences, Psychology, Biology, and Computer Science. It’s a small community of about 2,407 students, making it easier to form close connections with peers and professors alike. Those who choose Colby are often passionate about their fields and want to engage deeply in their studies.
Looking at life after graduation, alumni report impressive earnings, with a 10-year median income of $80,490. This suggests that a Colby education can lead to solid financial outcomes, helping graduates secure well-paying jobs. The affordability factor is also notable; with a net price of $17,180, many students find that they can graduate without being burdened by excessive debt, as the median debt sits at $19,157. This balance helps foster mobility for those who want to move up in their careers.
The numbers tell a clear story: Colby is not just about getting a degree but about setting up students for success in the real world. While 14% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that support is available for those who need it, the overall environment tends to attract highly motivated individuals. Those who thrive here share a commitment to their studies and benefit from both a strong academic foundation and a supportive community.
Rankings They Appear On
Bowdoin College and Colby College appear together in 12 rankings. On the Best Colleges in Maine, Bowdoin College ranks #1 — Bowdoin College outranks Colby College by 1 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 34% of Bowdoin's student body and 28% of Colby's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Bowdoin) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Colby).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bowdoin College is strongest in Physical Sciences, while Colby College concentrates in Psychology. 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 Bowdoin College or Colby College?
Colby College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 7% at Bowdoin College.
Which is more affordable, Bowdoin College or Colby College?
Bowdoin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,398 after aid versus $17,180 at Colby College.
Do Bowdoin College or Colby College graduates earn more?
Bowdoin College graduates earn more: median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,490 at Colby College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bowdoin College or Colby College?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 89%.
Bowdoin College vs Colby College: which is better for social mobility?
Bowdoin College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.1% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Bowdoin College or Colby College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bowdoin College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Colby College if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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