Head-to-Head Comparison
Bowdoin College vs University of Notre Dame
- Bowdoin Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 19
- Notre Dame Wins
- 16
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bowdoin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Notre Dame achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 95%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $26,780 compared to Bowdoin College's $14,398. 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
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,398, roughly $12,382 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,500, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 7% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Notre Dame
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, 21% more than Bowdoin College
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bowdoin graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (34% of degrees); Notre Dame in Business & Marketing (27%). 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 University of Notre Dame over Bowdoin College. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $82,735.
Pick Bowdoin College over University of Notre Dame. Net price $14,398 vs $26,780.
Pick Bowdoin College over University of Notre Dame. 1.1% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bowdoin College and University of Notre Dame 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 University of Notre Dame takes 11%. 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 $12,382 a year below University of Notre Dame's $26,780. Graduates of Bowdoin College also borrow less: median debt of $18,500, against $19,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $49,528 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, University of Notre Dame graduates report median earnings of $99,980, compared with $82,735 at Bowdoin College. That is a 21% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Notre Dame has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.22x.
So what: An earnings gap of 21% 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.
Moving people up
Bowdoin College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.1%; at University of Notre Dame, it is 0.9%. Bowdoin College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Bowdoin 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 University of Notre Dame for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Bowdoin College saves about $12,382 a year, yet University of Notre Dame graduates earn $17,245 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 Biology & Biomedical, Physical Sciences, while University of Notre Dame leans toward Business & Marketing, Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: University of Notre Dame has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Bowdoin College has less business program depth, and University of Notre Dame offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $26,780 runs well above Bowdoin College's $14,398.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Notre Dame's enrollment of 8,818 far exceeds Bowdoin College's 1,873.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Notre Dame holds onto its admits more tightly: 64% of admitted students enroll, versus 54% at Bowdoin — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Bowdoin offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Notre Dame 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
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.
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit
The University of Notre Dame has an impressive graduation rate of 96%. This means that the vast majority of students who start their studies here complete their degrees on time. Such a high rate indicates strong student support and academic rigor.
According to the Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility outcomes for Notre Dame students are not available. However, the strong graduation rate and high earnings after ten years suggest that graduates from this institution tend to secure stable, well-paying jobs. The average earnings for alumni reach $99,980, reflecting the quality of education and career preparation they receive.
Prospective students should consider the financial aspects as well. The net price for attending Notre Dame is $26,780, with a median debt of $19,000 after graduation. While the Pell Grant rate is 14%, students who thrive here often pursue majors in Business, Engineering, Social Sciences, Biology, and Computer Science, aligning their education with strong job markets.
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 Notre Dame leads with Business Administration (27%).
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 Notre Dame).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bowdoin College is strongest in Physical Sciences, Computer Science & IT, while University of Notre Dame concentrates in Business & Marketing, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Bowdoin College or University of Notre Dame?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 11% at University of Notre Dame.
Which is more affordable, Bowdoin College or University of Notre Dame?
Bowdoin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,398 after aid versus $26,780 at University of Notre Dame.
Do Bowdoin College or University of Notre Dame graduates earn more?
University of Notre Dame graduates earn more: median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,735 at Bowdoin College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bowdoin College or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 95%.
Bowdoin College vs University of Notre Dame: which is better for social mobility?
Bowdoin College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.1% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Bowdoin College or University of Notre Dame?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bowdoin College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Notre Dame 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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