Head-to-Head Comparison
Bowdoin College vs Washington University in St Louis
- Bowdoin Wins
- 14
- Tied
- 17
- Washington St Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bowdoin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,398 vs Washington University in St Louis's $21,786, 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.
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 $7,388 a year less
- 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
Washington St
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment, 4% more than Bowdoin College
- Less debt: Median debt of $17,500, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bowdoin graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (34% of degrees); Washington St in Engineering (14%). 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 Washington University in St Louis over Bowdoin College. Median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment vs $82,735.
Pick Bowdoin College over Washington University in St Louis. Net price $14,398 vs $21,786.
Pick Bowdoin College over Washington University in St Louis. 1.1% mobility rate vs 1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bowdoin College and Washington University in St Louis 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 Washington University in St Louis takes 12%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,530.
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 $7,388 a year below Washington University in St Louis's $21,786. Graduates of Washington University in St Louis also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $18,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $29,552 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, Washington University in St Louis graduates report median earnings of $86,182, compared with $82,735 at Bowdoin College. That is a 4% advantage. Set against borrowing, Washington University in St Louis has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.22x.
So what: An earnings gap of 4% 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 Washington University in St Louis, it is 1%. Bowdoin College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.9%.
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 Washington University in St Louis 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 $7,388 a year, yet Washington University in St Louis graduates earn $3,447 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 Washington University in St Louis leans toward Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Washington University in St Louis has the stronger engineering programs.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $21,786 runs well above Bowdoin College's $14,398.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Washington University in St Louis's enrollment of 7,857 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 Washington St — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Washington St (27.0% 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
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.
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Washington University in St. Louis attracts driven students looking for a rigorous academic environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like engineering, biology, social sciences, computer science, and business. The graduation rate of 94% reflects a supportive community that helps students succeed and achieve their goals.
Life after graduation looks promising, with alumni reporting an average earnings of $86,182 ten years out. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability in a variety of career paths. While nearly 18% of students receive Pell Grants, the school’s commitment to affordability helps ensure that students from different economic backgrounds can thrive.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,786, and the median debt for graduates is $17,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students here often leave school with a solid foundation for their financial futures. Those who tend to thrive are often self-motivated and eager to engage deeply with their studies and the campus community.
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 Washington St leads with Mechanical Engineering (14%).
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 Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bowdoin College is strongest in Physical Sciences, Computer Science & IT, while Washington University in St Louis concentrates in Engineering, 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 Washington University in St Louis?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 12% at Washington University in St Louis.
Which is more affordable, Bowdoin College or Washington University in St Louis?
Bowdoin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,398 after aid versus $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis.
Do Bowdoin College or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more: median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,735 at Bowdoin College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bowdoin College or Washington University in St Louis?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 94%.
Bowdoin College vs Washington University in St Louis: which is better for social mobility?
Bowdoin College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.1% versus 1%.
Should you choose Bowdoin College or Washington University in St Louis?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bowdoin College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Washington University in St Louis 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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