Head-to-Head Comparison
Bowdoin College vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Bowdoin Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 20
- Massachusetts Pharmacy Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bowdoin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,398 vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545, 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
Bowdoin
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,398, roughly $25,147 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
Massachusetts Pharmacy
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, 52% more than Bowdoin College
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bowdoin graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (34% of degrees); Massachusetts Pharmacy in Health Professions (93%). 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 Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences over Bowdoin College. Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment vs $82,735.
Pick Bowdoin College over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Net price $14,398 vs $39,545.
Pick Bowdoin College over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 95% completion rate vs 63%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bowdoin College and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 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 Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences takes 85%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,269.
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 $25,147 a year below Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545. Graduates of Bowdoin College also borrow less: median debt of $18,500, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $100,588 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, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates report median earnings of $125,557, compared with $82,735 at Bowdoin College. That is a 52% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.22x.
So what: An earnings gap of 52% 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 63%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 33% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Bowdoin College to keep costs and debt down; pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Bowdoin College saves about $25,147 a year, yet Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn $42,822 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Bowdoin College concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences leans toward Health Professions, 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 $39,545 runs well above Bowdoin College's $14,398.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $18,500 at Bowdoin College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's enrollment of 3,451 far exceeds Bowdoin College's 1,873.
Full Data Breakdown
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
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.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
A full data profile for Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — outcomes, cost, and admissions — is on its profile page.
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 Massachusetts Pharmacy leads with Nursing (BSN) (93%).
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Bowdoin) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Massachusetts Pharmacy).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bowdoin College is strongest in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences concentrates in Health Professions, 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.
Bowdoin
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Bowdoin College or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 85% at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Which is more affordable, Bowdoin College or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Bowdoin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,398 after aid versus $39,545 at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Do Bowdoin College or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more: median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,735 at Bowdoin College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bowdoin College or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 63%.
Should you choose Bowdoin College or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bowdoin College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 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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How do Bowdoin and Massachusetts Pharmacy 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.
