Head-to-Head Comparison
Bowdoin College vs Union College
- Bowdoin Wins
- 24
- Tied
- 16
- Union Wins
- 8
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bowdoin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,398 vs Union College's $34,561, 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.
48 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 $20,163 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
Union
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment, 7% more than Bowdoin College
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bowdoin graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (34% of degrees); Union in Social Sciences (21%). 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 Union College over Bowdoin College. Median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment vs $82,735.
Pick Bowdoin College over Union College. Net price $14,398 vs $34,561.
Pick Bowdoin College over Union College. 95% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bowdoin College and Union 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 Union College takes 44%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,395.
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 $20,163 a year below Union College's $34,561. Graduates of Bowdoin College also borrow less: median debt of $18,500, against $25,337.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $80,652 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, Union College graduates report median earnings of $88,604, compared with $82,735 at Bowdoin College. That is a 7% advantage. Set against borrowing, Bowdoin College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.22x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 7% 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 83%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 13% 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 Union College 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 $20,163 a year, yet Union College graduates earn $5,869 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 Physical Sciences, while Union College leans toward Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Union College has the stronger engineering programs.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $34,561 runs well above Bowdoin College's $14,398.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,337, against $18,500 at Bowdoin College.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bowdoin offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Union 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
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.
Union College
Schenectady, NY · Private nonprofit
Union College is a solid choice for students interested in a diverse range of studies, particularly in social sciences, engineering, biology, and psychology. With an enrollment of about 2,046 students and an acceptance rate of 44%, it strikes a balance between being accessible and maintaining a close-knit community. The graduation rate of 83% reflects a supportive environment where students tend to thrive and complete their degrees.
When it comes to what happens after graduation, students from Union College can expect a median earning of $88,604 within ten years of finishing their degree. This level of earning power suggests that graduates are well-prepared for the job market, with many finding roles that allow them to grow both personally and professionally. The affordability factor also plays a role in this, as financial burdens are important to consider when thinking about long-term success.
The financial bottom line shows a net price of $34,561 after aid, which is manageable compared to the potential earnings. With a median debt of $25,337, students can graduate with a reasonable financial outlook, especially relative to their earning potential. Those who tend to thrive at Union are likely to be motivated, engaged, and ready to take on the academic rigor of the programs offered, all while enjoying the vibrant community atmosphere in Schenectady.
Rankings They Appear On
Bowdoin College is featured on the Best Colleges in Maine ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 34% of Bowdoin's student body and 21% of Union's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Bowdoin) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for Union).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bowdoin College is strongest in Physical Sciences, Computer Science & IT, while Union College concentrates in Engineering, Humanities. 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 Union College?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 44% at Union College.
Which is more affordable, Bowdoin College or Union College?
Bowdoin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,398 after aid versus $34,561 at Union College.
Do Bowdoin College or Union College graduates earn more?
Union College graduates earn more: median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,735 at Bowdoin College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bowdoin College or Union College?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 83%.
Should you choose Bowdoin College or Union College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bowdoin College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Union College 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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