Head-to-Head Comparison
Bowdoin College vs Cornell University
- Bowdoin Wins
- 12
- Tied
- 17
- Cornell Wins
- 25
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bowdoin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,398 vs Cornell University's $28,690, 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.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Bowdoin
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,398, roughly $14,292 a year less
Cornell
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $104,043 ten years after enrollment, 26% more than Bowdoin College
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bowdoin graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (34% of degrees); Cornell in Computer Science & IT (19%). 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 Cornell University over Bowdoin College. Median earnings of $104,043 ten years after enrollment vs $82,735.
Pick Bowdoin College over Cornell University. Net price $14,398 vs $28,690.
Pick Cornell University over Bowdoin College. 2.9% mobility rate vs 1.1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bowdoin College and Cornell University split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Bowdoin College is the harder admit. It takes 7% of applicants, while Cornell University takes 9%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,535.
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 $14,292 a year below Cornell University's $28,690. Graduates of Cornell University also borrow less: median debt of $14,000, against $18,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $57,168 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, Cornell University graduates report median earnings of $104,043, compared with $82,735 at Bowdoin College. That is a 26% advantage. Set against borrowing, Cornell University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.13x to 0.22x.
So what: An earnings gap of 26% 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
Cornell University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.9%; at Bowdoin College, it is 1.1%. Cornell University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.6%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Cornell 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 Cornell University 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 $14,292 a year, yet Cornell University graduates earn $21,308 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 Cornell University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.9%. 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 Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Physical Sciences, while Cornell University leans toward Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $18,500, against $14,000 at Cornell University.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Bowdoin College's enrollment, and Cornell University is stronger here.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $28,690 runs well above Bowdoin College's $14,398.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Cornell University's enrollment of 15,995 far exceeds Bowdoin College's 1,873.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Cornell holds onto its admits more tightly: 69% of admitted students enroll, versus 54% at Bowdoin — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Bowdoin offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Cornell 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
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 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.
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit
Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, is a fitting choice for students who are academically driven and eager for a deeply engaging campus experience. With an acceptance rate of just 9%, this school attracts some of the brightest minds, and it has a graduation rate of 95%. Students here dive into popular programs like Computer Science, Business, and Engineering, all of which are designed to prepare them for competitive fields.
After graduation, individuals from Cornell see impressive financial returns, with a median earning of about $104,043 after ten years. This level of income reflects the value of the education received and the strong career paths available to graduates. Although the cost of attendance can be significant, the financial aid landscape is supportive, especially for those who qualify for Pell Grants, which help about 18% of students.
The net price after aid stands at approximately $28,690, which is manageable considering the median debt of $14,000 that graduates carry. This financial framework means that most students can graduate with a reasonable amount of debt, allowing them to focus on their careers and aspirations rather than being weighed down by financial burdens. Those who thrive at Cornell are typically motivated, engaged, and ready to take advantage of the many resources and connections available to them.
Rankings They Appear On
Bowdoin College is featured on the Best Colleges in Maine ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Bowdoin's top program is Sociology (34% of enrollment), while Cornell leads with Computer Science (19%).
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 Cornell).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bowdoin College is strongest in Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, while Cornell University concentrates in Engineering, Business & Marketing. 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 Cornell University?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 9% at Cornell University.
Which is more affordable, Bowdoin College or Cornell University?
Bowdoin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,398 after aid versus $28,690 at Cornell University.
Do Bowdoin College or Cornell University graduates earn more?
Cornell University graduates earn more: median earnings of $104,043 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,735 at Bowdoin College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bowdoin College or Cornell University?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 95%.
Bowdoin College vs Cornell University: which is better for social mobility?
Cornell University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.9% versus 1.1%.
Should you choose Bowdoin College or Cornell University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bowdoin College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Cornell University 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.
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