Head-to-Head Comparison
Bowdoin College vs University of California-Los Angeles
- Bowdoin Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 18
- California-Los Angeles Wins
- 14
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of California-Los Angeles offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Bowdoin College achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 93%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $14,398 compared to University of California-Los Angeles's $12,548 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of California-Los Angeles'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 University of California-Los Angeles
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
California-Los Angeles
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,548, roughly $1,850 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,000, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bowdoin graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (34% of degrees); California-Los Angeles in Social Sciences (25%). 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 University of California-Los Angeles. Median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment vs $82,511.
Pick University of California-Los Angeles over Bowdoin College. Net price $12,548 vs $14,398.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bowdoin College and University of California-Los Angeles are close on paper, but Bowdoin College wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 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 University of California-Los Angeles takes 9%.
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, University of California-Los Angeles comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $12,548, about $1,850 a year below Bowdoin College's $14,398. Graduates of University of California-Los Angeles also borrow less: median debt of $14,000, against $18,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $7,400 before any change in aid. Choosing University of California-Los Angeles 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 $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles. That is a 0% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of California-Los Angeles has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.17x to 0.22x.
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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of California-Los Angeles to keep costs and debt down; pick Bowdoin 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. University of California-Los Angeles saves about $1,850 a year, yet Bowdoin College graduates earn $224 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 University of California-Los Angeles leans toward Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $14,398 runs well above University of California-Los Angeles's $12,548.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $18,500, against $14,000 at University of California-Los Angeles.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of California-Los Angeles's enrollment of 33,475 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 48% at California-Los Angeles — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Bowdoin offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; California-Los Angeles 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 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.
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Only 9% of applicants gain admission to the University of California-Los Angeles, making it one of the most selective public universities in the country. With an enrollment of nearly 33,500 students, UCLA combines a competitive environment with a high graduation rate of 93%. This commitment to student success reflects the university's dedication to academic excellence.
Graduates from UCLA see strong financial outcomes, with a median earnings of $82,511 a decade after graduation. While specific mobility metrics are not available, the university's programs in fields like Social Sciences, Biology, and Engineering contribute to its reputation for fostering upward economic mobility among its graduates. The 28% of students receiving Pell Grants highlights its support for low-income students, balancing accessibility with high achievement.
Attending UCLA comes with a net price of $12,548 and a median debt of $14,000, making it a financially viable option for many students. Those who thrive here are often driven, academically inclined, and eager to engage in a vibrant campus culture. With a strong focus on research and a diverse student body, UCLA is well-suited for those looking to make an impact in their chosen fields.
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 25% of California-Los Angeles's.
California-Los Angeles
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 California-Los Angeles).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bowdoin College is strongest in Physical Sciences, Computer Science & IT, while University of California-Los Angeles concentrates in Psychology, Engineering. 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 University of California-Los Angeles?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 9% at University of California-Los Angeles.
Which is more affordable, Bowdoin College or University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Los Angeles is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,548 after aid versus $14,398 at Bowdoin College.
Do Bowdoin College or University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
Bowdoin College graduates earn more: median earnings of $82,735 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bowdoin College or University of California-Los Angeles?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 93%.
Should you choose Bowdoin College or University of California-Los Angeles?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of California-Los Angeles if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Bowdoin 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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