Head-to-Head Comparison
Bowdoin College vs Wellesley College
- Bowdoin Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 16
- Wellesley Wins
- 19
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bowdoin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,398 vs Wellesley College's $25,496, 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.
50 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 $11,098 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 7% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Wellesley
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $84,803 ten years after enrollment, 2% more than Bowdoin College
- Less debt: Median debt of $10,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.4%, 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); Wellesley in Social Sciences (23%). 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 Wellesley College over Bowdoin College. Median earnings of $84,803 ten years after enrollment vs $82,735.
Pick Bowdoin College over Wellesley College. Net price $14,398 vs $25,496.
Pick Wellesley College over Bowdoin College. 2.4% mobility rate vs 1.1%.
Pick Bowdoin College over Wellesley College. 95% completion rate vs 91%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bowdoin College and Wellesley College split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Bowdoin College is the harder admit. It takes 7% of applicants, while Wellesley College takes 14%. 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 $11,098 a year below Wellesley College's $25,496. Graduates of Wellesley College also borrow less: median debt of $10,000, against $18,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $44,392 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, Wellesley College graduates report median earnings of $84,803, compared with $82,735 at Bowdoin College. That is a 2% advantage. Set against borrowing, Wellesley College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.22x.
So what: An earnings gap of 2% 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 91%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% 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
Wellesley College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.4%; at Bowdoin College, it is 1.1%. Wellesley College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.6%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Wellesley 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 Wellesley College 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 $11,098 a year, yet Wellesley College graduates earn $2,068 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, with a 7% admit rate, but Wellesley College posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.4%. 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 Physical Sciences, while Wellesley College leans toward Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $18,500, against $10,000 at Wellesley College.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Bowdoin College's enrollment, and Wellesley College is stronger here.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,496 runs well above Bowdoin College's $14,398.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bowdoin holds onto its admits more tightly: 54% of admitted students enroll, versus 46% at Wellesley — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Wellesley (29.4% 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
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.
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
Wellesley College is a great fit for students who are focused on a strong academic experience and personal growth. With an acceptance rate of just 14%, this school attracts motivated individuals who are passionate about subjects like Social Sciences, Biology, and Computer Science. The environment here is tailored for those who thrive in a rigorous, supportive setting, making it a solid choice for anyone serious about their studies.
After graduation, Wellesley alumni see impressive outcomes, with a median earnings figure of $84,803 after ten years. This reflects the value of a Wellesley education in the job market. While the cost of attendance can be a concern, the school’s commitment to affordability helps many students manage their financial futures. The relatively low median debt of $10,000 for graduates suggests that most leave with manageable financial obligations.
When it comes to the practicalities, the net price after aid sits at $25,496, which is reasonable for a private institution. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a close-knit community and seek a challenging academic environment. With a graduation rate of 91%, it’s clear that Wellesley supports its students well, helping them not just to finish their degrees, but to succeed afterward.
Rankings They Appear On
Bowdoin College and Wellesley College appear together in 3 rankings. On the Best Colleges for Biology, Bowdoin College ranks #3 — Bowdoin College outranks Wellesley College by 13 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 34% of Bowdoin's student body and 23% of Wellesley's.
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 Wellesley).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Bowdoin College or Wellesley College?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 14% at Wellesley College.
Which is more affordable, Bowdoin College or Wellesley College?
Bowdoin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,398 after aid versus $25,496 at Wellesley College.
Do Bowdoin College or Wellesley College graduates earn more?
Wellesley College graduates earn more: median earnings of $84,803 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,735 at Bowdoin College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bowdoin College or Wellesley College?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 91%.
Bowdoin College vs Wellesley College: which is better for social mobility?
Wellesley College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.4% versus 1.1%.
Should you choose Bowdoin College or Wellesley College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bowdoin College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Wellesley 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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