Head-to-Head Comparison
Bowdoin College vs New York University
- Bowdoin Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 17
- New York Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bowdoin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,398 vs New York University's $37,050, 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.
54 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 New York University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,398, roughly $22,652 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
New York
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3.6%, 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); New York in Visual & Performing Arts (16%). 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 New York University. Median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment vs $82,509.
Pick Bowdoin College over New York University. Net price $14,398 vs $37,050.
Pick New York University over Bowdoin College. 3.6% mobility rate vs 1.1%.
Pick Bowdoin College over New York University. 95% completion rate vs 88%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bowdoin College and New York University 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
Bowdoin College is the harder admit. It takes 7% of applicants, while New York University takes 9%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,520.
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 $22,652 a year below New York University's $37,050. Graduates of Bowdoin College also borrow less: median debt of $18,500, against $20,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $90,608 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 $82,509 at New York University. That is a 0% advantage. Set against borrowing, Bowdoin College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.22x to 0.25x.
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 88%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 7% 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
New York University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.6%; at Bowdoin College, it is 1.1%. New York University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 6.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.6%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, New York 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 New York University 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 New York University posts the higher mobility rate, at 3.6%. 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 Biology & Biomedical, Physical Sciences, while New York University leans toward Visual & Performing Arts, Business & Marketing. 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 $37,050 runs well above Bowdoin College's $14,398.
- Students who want a smaller campus: New York University's enrollment of 28,663 far exceeds Bowdoin College's 1,873.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
New York holds onto its admits more tightly: 55% of admitted students enroll, versus 54% at Bowdoin — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
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.
New York University
New York, NY · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 9%, New York University attracts driven students who are ready to dive deep into their passions. This urban campus is ideal for those interested in fields like Visual & Performing Arts, Social Sciences, Business & Marketing, Computer Science, and Humanities. It’s a place where creativity meets practicality, and students can thrive in a vibrant, diverse environment.
After graduation, students can expect strong earning potential, with a median salary of $82,509 ten years after completing their degree. That’s a significant number, especially when you consider the potential for upward mobility in competitive fields. The financial investment in an NYU education often pays off, making it a compelling choice for those who are eager to make their mark.
When it comes to the cost, the net price after aid sits at $37,050, with a median debt of $20,500. This means many students graduate with manageable debt, especially considering their earnings potential. NYU tends to attract motivated individuals who are ready to engage with the world around them and capitalize on the myriad opportunities available in New York City.
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 New York leads with Studio Art / Fine Arts (BFA) (16%).
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 New York).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bowdoin College is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Physical Sciences, while New York University concentrates in Visual & Performing Arts, 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 New York University?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 9% at New York University.
Which is more affordable, Bowdoin College or New York University?
Bowdoin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,398 after aid versus $37,050 at New York University.
Do Bowdoin College or New York University graduates earn more?
Bowdoin College graduates earn more: median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,509 at New York University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bowdoin College or New York University?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 88%.
Bowdoin College vs New York University: which is better for social mobility?
New York University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3.6% versus 1.1%.
Should you choose Bowdoin College or New York University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bowdoin College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose New York University 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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