Head-to-Head Comparison
Bowdoin College vs Middlebury College
- Bowdoin Wins
- 24
- Tied
- 13
- Middlebury Wins
- 13
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bowdoin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,398 vs Middlebury College's $31,483, 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
Bowdoin
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment, 8% more than Middlebury College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,398, roughly $17,085 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
Middlebury
- Less debt: Median debt of $13,857, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.3%, 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); Middlebury in Social Sciences (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 Middlebury College. Median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment vs $76,310.
Pick Bowdoin College over Middlebury College. Net price $14,398 vs $31,483.
Pick Middlebury College over Bowdoin College. 1.3% mobility rate vs 1.1%.
Pick Bowdoin College over Middlebury College. 95% completion rate vs 92%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bowdoin College and Middlebury 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 Middlebury College takes 11%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,508.
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 $17,085 a year below Middlebury College's $31,483. Graduates of Middlebury College also borrow less: median debt of $13,857, against $18,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $68,340 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 $76,310 at Middlebury College. That is a 8% advantage. Set against borrowing, Middlebury College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.22x.
So what: An earnings gap of 8% 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 92%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 3% 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
Middlebury College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.3%; at Bowdoin College, it is 1.1%. Bowdoin College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.3%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Middlebury 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; pick Middlebury College 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 Middlebury College posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.3%. 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 Middlebury College leans toward Computer Science & IT. 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 $13,857 at Middlebury College.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $31,483 runs well above Bowdoin College's $14,398.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Middlebury College's enrollment of 2,738 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 42% at Middlebury — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Middlebury (39.0% Early Decision admit rate vs 14.9%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice.
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
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.
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Middlebury College attracts students who are not only academically strong but also deeply engaged in their communities. It’s a place where you can dive into a diverse range of subjects, from Social Sciences to Biology and Computer Science. The student body of around 2,738 thrives on collaboration and intellectual exploration, making it ideal for those who value a tight-knit academic environment.
Looking at life after graduation, graduates can expect to earn around $76,310 within ten years of completing their degree. That’s a solid return on investment, especially considering the high graduation rate of 92%. The affordability factor is also noteworthy; this college is within reach for many families, particularly with the support of financial aid. While 16% of students receive Pell Grants, it’s clear there are resources available to help students succeed financially.
When it comes to the cost of attendance, the net price after aid stands at approximately $31,483, with a median debt of $13,857. This manageable debt level suggests that many students can graduate without overwhelming financial burdens. Middlebury is a great fit for those who are motivated, curious, and ready to engage deeply—not just with their studies, but with the world around them.
Rankings They Appear On
Bowdoin College and Middlebury College appear together in 6 rankings. On the Best Colleges for Biology, Bowdoin College ranks #3 — Bowdoin College outranks Middlebury College by 42 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 34% of Bowdoin's student body and 32% of Middlebury'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 Middlebury).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bowdoin College is strongest in Physical Sciences, while Middlebury 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 Middlebury College?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 11% at Middlebury College.
Which is more affordable, Bowdoin College or Middlebury College?
Bowdoin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,398 after aid versus $31,483 at Middlebury College.
Do Bowdoin College or Middlebury College graduates earn more?
Bowdoin College graduates earn more: median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment, versus $76,310 at Middlebury College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bowdoin College or Middlebury College?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 92%.
Bowdoin College vs Middlebury College: which is better for social mobility?
Middlebury College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.3% versus 1.1%.
Should you choose Bowdoin College or Middlebury College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bowdoin College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Middlebury College 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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