Head-to-Head Comparison
Bowdoin College vs Loyola University Maryland
- Bowdoin Wins
- 25
- Tied
- 12
- Loyola Maryland Wins
- 12
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bowdoin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,398 vs Loyola University Maryland's $30,574, 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.
49 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, 0% more than Loyola University Maryland
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,398, roughly $16,176 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
- More selective: Admits 7% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Loyola Maryland
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); Loyola Maryland in Business & Marketing (32%). 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 Loyola University Maryland. Median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment vs $82,652.
Pick Bowdoin College over Loyola University Maryland. Net price $14,398 vs $30,574.
Pick Bowdoin College over Loyola University Maryland. 1.1% mobility rate vs 0.7%.
Pick Bowdoin College over Loyola University Maryland. 95% completion rate vs 80%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bowdoin College and Loyola University Maryland are close on paper, but Bowdoin College wins the head-to-head, leading on 6 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 Loyola University Maryland takes 75%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,290.
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 $16,176 a year below Loyola University Maryland's $30,574. Graduates of Bowdoin College also borrow less: median debt of $18,500, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $64,704 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 $82,652 at Loyola University Maryland. That is a 0% advantage. Set against borrowing, Bowdoin College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.22x to 0.33x.
So what: An earnings gap of 0% 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 80%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 16% 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 Loyola University Maryland, it is 0.7%. Bowdoin College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.7%.
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
Their academic identities diverge. Bowdoin College concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Physical Sciences, while Loyola University Maryland leans toward Business & Marketing, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Bowdoin College has less business program depth, and Loyola University Maryland offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $30,574 runs well above Bowdoin College's $14,398.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $18,500 at Bowdoin College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Loyola University Maryland's enrollment of 3,869 far exceeds Bowdoin College's 1,873.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bowdoin holds onto its admits more tightly: 54% of admitted students enroll, versus 12% at Loyola Maryland — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Loyola Maryland (41.8% 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 Loyola Maryland, where only about 17% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 3 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
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.
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 3,900 students, Loyola University Maryland caters to those seeking a well-rounded education in a supportive environment. The 75% acceptance rate suggests that the school aims to welcome a diverse group of students, which contributes to a vibrant campus life. Popular areas of study include Business and Marketing, Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, Communications, and Social Sciences, allowing students to explore various fields while preparing for their careers.
After graduation, students can expect a solid financial outlook, with a median earnings figure of $82,652 after ten years. This is encouraging and indicates that many graduates find good opportunities in their chosen fields. The affordability factor is also important; with a net price of $30,574, students can weigh the cost of their education against potential earnings, making it a reasonable investment for many.
When considering the practical aspects of attending Loyola, the average debt load of $27,000 is relatively manageable, especially given the earnings potential. The school attracts a mix of students, including those who are determined to succeed and take advantage of the supportive community. With a graduation rate of 80%, it’s clear that many students find their footing here and go on to thrive in their careers.
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 Loyola Maryland leads with Business Administration (32%).
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 Loyola Maryland).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bowdoin College is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Physical Sciences, while Loyola University Maryland concentrates in Business & Marketing, 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 Loyola University Maryland?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 75% at Loyola University Maryland.
Which is more affordable, Bowdoin College or Loyola University Maryland?
Bowdoin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,398 after aid versus $30,574 at Loyola University Maryland.
Do Bowdoin College or Loyola University Maryland graduates earn more?
Bowdoin College graduates earn more: median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,652 at Loyola University Maryland.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bowdoin College or Loyola University Maryland?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 80%.
Bowdoin College vs Loyola University Maryland: which is better for social mobility?
Bowdoin College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.1% versus 0.7%.
Should you choose Bowdoin College or Loyola University Maryland?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bowdoin College if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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