Bowdoin College Acceptance Rates 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026

Bowdoin Acceptance Rate , Bowdoin College Ranking

Check here Bowdoin College Acceptance Rates for all year. Here I have listed Bowdoin College Acceptance Rates

• Bowdoin College Acceptance Rates 2022
• Bowdoin College Acceptance Rates 2023
• Bowdoin College Acceptance Rates 2024
• Bowdoin College Acceptance Rates 2025
• Bowdoin College Acceptance Rates 2026

Bowdoin College Acceptance Rates: Bowdoin College, a liberal arts college, gives students a broad educational foundation by offering a curriculum that spans a wide selection of topics.

The college is situated in Brunswick, ME, a primarily rural area. Bowdoin College has an enrollment of close to 1000 students.

The acceptance rate for the school is highly competitive, with just 9 percent of were considered for admission being accepted. For more details, you can visit the admissions office’s site at .bowdoin.edu.

What to know about Bowdoin

Bowdoin University is a beacon of hope for a shared good. This can be best described as a commitment and willingness to think and act for society’s good.

This common good goes beyond traditional liberal arts colleges’ traditional characteristics: intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration between students and faculty.

This does not mean that the ideal student can serve others. It just means they have a greater understanding of the world.

 Bowdoin College Acceptance rate for 2026 class: 

The Bowdoin College Acceptance rate has slowed in recent years compared to 2018. Bowdoin College Acceptance rates were previously in the high teens, such as 13.4 percent in 2017.

This Bowdoin College Acceptance rate was 8.8 percent. Bowdoin College received a total of 9,320 applicants, of which Bowdoin College accepted 822 applications.

Of the 822 applicants, only 517 decided to apply to Bowdoin College. Due to a strict selection process, the Bowdoin College Acceptance rate for 2022(class of 2026) is 9.1 percent, and the acceptance rate for early decisions of 26 percent. Here are the total figures for the 2026 Bowdoin College Acceptance rate.

Total Applicants	9,446
Accepted by Bowdoin College	862
Students Enrolled	511
Acceptance Rate	9.1%

Of 511 students enrolled in 2026’s class, 50 percent are female; Bowdoin College’s acceptance percentage is low due to the small classes and highly selective approach to selecting pupils.

Bowdoin College Early Decision Acceptance Rate

Bowdoin received 1,123 ED applications for the class of 2024 (most recently released official data) and accepted 242 people. Its ED accepted rate in this group was 22% compared to 7percent for applicants for the regular round.

Bowdoin College Ranking

According to the U.S. News rankings, Bowdoin has always held the highest ranking and is considered one of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges. It is recognized for its renowned academic programs. It has also created a variety of Rhodes Scholars and Fulbright Fellows.

The college is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Bowdoin College’s ranking is 5th according to U.S. News & World Report, and Washington Monthly has ranked Bowdoin College at the 6th spot. A listing of some notable Bowdoin College Ranking is as below.

• National Liberal Arts Colleges – #6 
• Best Undergraduate Teaching – #3 
• Best Values Schools – #7 
• Most Innovative Schools – #21 
• First-Year Experiences – #15 

If you’re searching for the top liberal arts institution, Bowdoin is one you should consider.
Bowdoin College Acceptance rate, enrollment, and SAT/ACT score statistics from the last couple of years:

Parameter	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
Total applicants	7,052	6,935	6,790	6,788	7,251	9,081
Accepted	1,054	1034	1,009	970	988	932
Acceptance %	14.9%	14.9%	14.9%	14.3%	13.4%	8.9%
Enrolled	497	503	499	503	501	511
SAT scores	2050-2280	2050-2290	2050-2300	1290-1530	1290-1510	1300-1510
ACT scores	30-33	31-34	30-34	30-34	30-34	30-34

 Bowdoin College Admission process and requirements: 

With a rate of selective acceptance, Bowdoin College has a rigorous admissions process followed by a three-phase deadline procedure, including Early Decision 1, early decision 2, and Regular decision admissions. 50 percent of applicants admitted to Bowdoin College have SAT scores between 1320 and 1520.

They also have ACT scores between the 31st and 34th, with an overall GPA of 3.93. Yet 25% of the admitted applicants scored above these levels, while 25% scored lower than these limits. It is important to note that the Bowdoin College application deadline is November 5.

The Bowdoin late application deadline for early Decision applications is November 15. Students can fill out an application form on the college’s official website or via the standard application portal.

Additionally, the cost of processing an application, which is $65, is charged to all students. The following documents are required to be considered for admission to Bowdoin College.

• High School transcripts 
• Secondary school transcripts 
• Mid-year report 
• Recommendation letters (three must be submitted) – one is a Counselor recommendation, the second is from the teacher, and the third can be from another teacher or supervisor. 
• Bowdoin Supplement essay 
• SAT and ACT scores are optional and left to the applicant’s decision. 

Although it’s not required submission of SAT and ACT scores for admission purposes, they are not a requirement; many believe it’s a good idea to submit them because they will show your academic abilities. In 2025’s class, just half of the students decided to provide scores for their SAT and ACT scores.

 Bowdoin College Majors and Minors

The natural, social, and behavioral sciences and behavioral sciences and mathematical sciences, along with mathematics as well as the humanities and fine arts, are the principal divisions among the majors that students declare are distributed at Bowdoin.

The school offers 43 majors and 45 little choices for students. Students can also design their majors. The most sought-after majors chosen by students from Bowdoin College are as below.

• Government and Legal Studies 
• Political Science and Government 
• Environmental Science 
• Economics 
• Mathematics 
• Biology 
• Computer Science 
• English 
• Neuroscience 
• History 
• Psychology
• Education 

In addition to majors, Bowdoin College also offers minors, specializations, and many other exciting programs for its students. To put it another way, there are many alternatives to pursuing your academic pursuits in addition to the Bowdoin College major.

Bowdoin College Admissions – SAT, ACT, and Class Rank

Bowdoin, Of course, has been a test-free school. However, of the class of 2025 that completed their scores on the SAT, the median math SAT score was 740, while the reading score averaged 740. The median ACT score was 33.

The Data from the Class of 2024 shows that 84% of the enrolled first-year students graduated with the highest 10 percent in their class at high school, and 97% were in the top quarter of the course.

Bowdoin GPA Requirements

Although many schools require a minimum GPA, this requirement is not mandatory for all applicants.

GPA is what matters. It’s the GPA that you need to have a chance at getting in. We look at the average GPA of current students to determine this.

Bowdoin’s average GPA is 3.93.

(Most schools have a GPA of 4.0 or higher, but some report an unweighted average. Although this school didn’t report its average GPA, we have estimated it using data from more than 1,000 schools.

Bowdoin expects you to have a 3.93 GPA and be at the top of your class. To compete with other applicants, you must have nearly straight A’s for all types. To show that college-level academics are possible, you must take challenging courses – AP and IB.

Your GPA cannot be changed if you are a senior or junior student. To compensate, if your GPA is below 3.93 (the school average), you will need a higher SAT/ACT score. This will allow you to compete with other applicants with higher GPAs.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Bowdoin ACT Requirements

Bowdoin doesn’t likely have a hard ACT cutoff like the SAT. However, if your score is higher, it will result in your application being thrown out.

Bowdoin’s average ACT score is 32. This makes Bowdoin Highly Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 30, and the 75th percentile ACT Score is 34.

Bowdoin may not have a minimum ACT requirement. However, if your application is below 30, you will have to get in if you have some awe-inspiring information. Many applicants score 32 or higher, so a 30 will appear academically weak.

Does Bowdoin Require Test Scores?

The requirements for standardized testing vary from one school to the next.

Usually, the SAT and ACT are required. Many schools also require SAT subject tests.

You must pass the SAT/ACT to apply to Bowdoin.

A robust application is essential for success.

How to Apply to Bowdoin

Bowdoin offers two options for applicants: the Common Application and the Coalition Application.

These two applications ask for similar basic information but have different essay options and ways to do it.

Early Decision I (ED I), Early Decision II(ED II), and Regular Decision for The Coalition Application (RD).

Both ED schedules enable students to commit to Bowdoin and receive their admissions results sooner than those who use the more popular RD schedule.

If you are confident that Bowdoin is the right choice, one of the ED rounds may be a good option. The college has a large percentage of its entering classes through ED.

ED I applicants should submit their applications by November 15. By mid-December, they’ll be notified if they have been accepted.

Applicants for ED II must submit their applications before January 1 to be notified by Mid-February.

Applicants for RD programs should submit their applications by January 1, although admission decisions will be made in April.

Admissions Trends & Notes – Class of 2025

• There were 9,397 candidates for the class of 2026. This was a slight increase from the previous year.
• The Class of 2025 comprised 536 students, including 39 deferred of the prior year.
• 40 percent of the 2025 Class classify themselves as students of color.
• 17 percent of the 2025 Class is a first-generation student.
• 44% of the class of 2025 decided not to provide ACT and SAT scores in their applications.

How Bowdoin College Rates Applicants

Bowdoin employs a comprehensive admissions process that considers seven elements as “very significant” for the admissions process: the rigor of high school courses, GPA, essay for application and recommendations, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities and character.

The only thing that is considered “important” is test scores.

Right From straight from Bowdoin admissions office

• “Bowdoin is looking for students who are engaged and bright inside and outside the classroom. They should also display curiosity and an eagerness to take risks with their thinking.”
• “At least two people will scrutinize all submitted applications. First, the reader who reads applications is usually the admissions officer assigned to serve as a liaison for the area, state, or country where the student is enrolled in high school. A second read is usually an individual selected from the staff that can offer a new viewpoint of the applicant. “While there isn’t a particular number of secondary school classes required to be admitted, most successful applicants have completed the most rigorous curriculum in their secondary school. This typically includes four years of English mathematics, science, math social studies, and foreign language studies. They also have attained the highest academic excellence.”
• “The decision regarding certain applications will be made after the second reading is completed. The majority of applications, in contrast, will go through the process of a committee, during which the applications will be individually reviewed and subsequently voted on by a committee of admissions personnel.”

Bowdoin College Demographics

Let’s examine the characteristics of the Bowdoin College undergraduate student body. These states are U.S. states that sent more than ten students to the Class of 2025:

1. California
2. Colorado
3. Massachusetts
4. New Jersey
5. Illinois
6. Texas
7. Maryland
8. Connecticut
9. Florida
10. Washington
11. New York
12. Maine
13. Pennsylvania

12 percent of 2025’s Class are students from abroad. The most significant amount of international students are in the following nations:

1. China: 25%
2. Canada: 6%
3. Japan: 5%
4. Hong Kong: 4%
5. Thailand: 4%

When it comes to ethnic identity, the breakdown of ethnicity is as the following:

• White: 56%
• Asian: 9%
• Hispanic: 11%
• African American: 8%
• Two or More Races: 8%

An examination of the gender divide shows that universities enroll more women than men :

• Men: 48%
• Women: 52%

In one particular year, there was a percentage that indicated the following: students attended every type of high school:

• Public: 51%
• Independent: 49%

Bowdoin College’s “Yield Rate”

The yield rate of Bowdoin College, which is the percentage of students accepted who choose to enroll divided by the total number of students admitted to the school, is 63%.

This puts them in the top position over other top liberal art schools that have yields like Williams College (46%), Pomona College (45 percent) as well as Swarthmore College (35%).

Tips for Applying to Bowdoin College

If you are planning to join the nearly 10,000+ Bowdoin College hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, it is essential to be aware of these things:

• If Bowdoin is your top option, it is recommended to consider applying for ED I by November 15 or ED II by early January. The Regular Decision deadline is in early January; in the initial week, however, acceptance rates are much lower for this round.
• Bowdoin is adamant students attend an evaluation interview.
• The recommendations of your teacher and counselor are essential. Check out the blog to get suggestions on requesting letters of advice for high school students.
• Bowdoin College does not consider ” demonstrated interest”; therefore, you won’t be judged based on whether or not you went on a campus visit, reached out to an admissions person, etc.
• You can apply using your Common Application or Coalition Application.
• You’ll have to file your Middle-Year report in February, so keep your scores up through your senior year in high school.
• Be sure to devote enough time and effort to the additional essay prompts offered at Bowdoin College. In the 2021-22 cycle, there were two essays, one of which is technically non-negotiable (but don’t skimp it):

How to Get Into Bowdoin College 

Bowdoin was a prominent educator of the elite in Maine 100 years ago. 71%, however, hail from outside New England. 17% are the first generation to go to college.

Bowdoin reviews all applications on a need-blind foundation. The school provides financial aid packages to all students who are accepted. Bowdoin’s student aid consists of scholarships and grants.

The school stopped lending to encourage students to choose careers more influenced by their passions and desire to help the greater good than their ability to repay student loans.

Many schools have done the ACT and SAT optional in response to the pandemic. However, Bowdoin has had the SAT since 1970.

Bowdoin admissions do not consider the SAT the best indicator for success. Applicants should limit the inclusion of SAT scores to those of exceptional benefit to their application.

Bowdoin places high school records above all other aspects of the student portfolio. Although Bowdoin does not require students to study a specific course in high school, they require that all Bowdoin students complete four years of English, mathematics, and social science. They also need three to four years of laboratory science.

Students who want to attend Bowdoin must have a high GPA, consistent coursework in the liberal arts, and enroll in the highest academic courses offered by their high school. Students can improve their transcripts by taking AP, International Baccalaureate, or other advanced techniques.

Bowdoin examines a student’s grades and choices of courses as evidence of academic potential.

The school highly recommends teachers. Students should build relationships with their teachers in high school so they can provide an accurate picture of the student’s abilities to succeed in Bowdoin’s rigorous academic environment.

Bowdoin is interested in assessing each student’s ability as an undergraduate student in their curriculum. The application essay plays an essential role in this process.

Bowdoin’s first-course plan offers an intensive writing program. Writing and critical thinking skills are essential to the Bowdoin experience.

Bowdoin students can avail of an optional supplement. This is a video response to a Bowdoin question. Students will receive a link to their application portal, where they can activate a random question, and the recording will begin in 30 seconds.

Bowdoin provides this option to students to express themselves more informally. This process does not require any editing or planning.

Bowdoin accepts both the Common Application as well as the Coalition Application. Participation in Quest Bridge’s National College Match by Bowdoin provides students with another excellent opportunity to enroll at Bowdoin.

How Hard Is It To Get Admitted to Bowdoin College?

It is challenging to get into Bowdoin College. Bowdoin College carefully evaluates applicants based on multiple criteria determining who is admitted, denied, or placed on a waitlist.

Bowdoin College received 9% of all applicants in 2021. This is approximately 822 students out of 9,352 who applied.

Bowdoin College is one of the most challenging schools to get into. It accepts less than 30% of applicants. A minimum of 75% of students admitted to the school have GPAs in the top 10% of their high schools and scores over 1310 on SAT or 29 on the ACT.

It isn’t easy to get admission as a transfer student.

Bowdoin College does not have data on waitlisted or admitted students.

What is Bowdoin College Looking for?

Beyond the classic qualities of traditional liberal arts colleges–intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, student-faculty collaboration–Bowdoin differentiates itself with The Common Good, best described as a commitment to review and acting to benefit society.

This does not necessarily mean that ideal students need to be service-oriented. It simply means that they have a more comprehensive view of the world and understand that regardless of their field, we can make them more accessible by giving space for empathy, understanding, and context.

Bowdoin’s core values and mission are being upheld. Admissions officers won’t consider a student’s ability to pay college tuition when deciding their acceptance.

Bowdoin is open to students regardless of financial need. They want students who are academically driven, curious, and willing to take intellectual risks.

Should I Apply to Bowdoin?

Most students accepted to Bowdoin graduated at or near an elite level in high school and have a variety of unique talents in and out of the classroom.

Because of the low acceptance rate, anyone seeking a college comparable to Bowdoin College must have the proper mix of “target” and “safety” schools on their list of colleges. More information on creating a balanced college list can be found here.

 Bowdoin College Tuition and Financial Aid

The tuition for the school year 2022-23 will cost $60,952 annually and $30,476 for a single semester. Bowdoin College tuition is more costly than the national average of approximately $44,423.

The total cost for Bowdoin College for 2022-23 is roughly $78,300. It includes $8,722 for the Board (19-meal plan) and $8,050 for housing, and $576 for fees for student activities.

Bowdoin College also offers financial aid. The average budget for financial aid is $52,350. This means that the total cost is $21,300 after deducting the financial aid for eligible students and prize money for scholarships.

Yearly Fees

Many schools have additional fees that offset the cost of maintaining facilities such as the library, gym, and computer labs.

It would help if you also kept in mind that there may be additional fees for participating in extracurricular activities such as joining a fraternity/sorority or playing on an intramural team. Many colleges offer options for students with financial needs to reduce or eliminate fees.

Scholarships at Bowdoin College

Scholarships and grants may be available to students who cannot pay full tuition. Scholarships and grants are not required to be repaid, unlike loans.

Bowdoin College gave students $51.8 million in need-based scholarships in 2022. This was to help students who have financial needs pay for school. Students without financial need were awarded $1.82 Million in merit-based scholarships.

Bowdoin College Net Cost

The actual cost of attending college for one year is called the net price. The net cost is the sum of all scholarships, grants, and other aid not required to be repaid. Because student loans must be repaid, they are not included in the calculation.

Once we know the total cost for Bowdoin College students, we can subtract the average financial assistance package to calculate the net cost. The net cost of a student’s education and financial aid received can affect the amount.

It is essential to look at the net cost of a school when deciding whether it fits within your budget. Schools with the highest tuition often offer the best aid packages. So, estimate your net cost before eliminating a school that doesn’t fit your budget.

In 2022, the average amount of financial assistance received by a Bowdoin College full-time student was $58,320. We can reduce the cost of Bowdoin College by subtracting the average package of financial assistance and the estimated costs.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$17,990
Off-Campus	$2,092

How much will Bowdoin College cost you? It depends on many factors.

Colleges must post a net price calculator to assist prospective students and their families make informed decisions about how much it will cost to attend that school. This is based on financial circumstances. The Bowdoin College website has a net cost calculator.

Academic Life at Bowdoin College  

Bowdoin College has a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, and 63.6% of its classes have fewer than 20 students. Bowdoin College’s most popular majors are Political Science and Government, Econometrics, Quantitative Economics, Mathematics, Biology/Biological Sciences and Biochemistry, and English Language and Literature.

Neuroscience, Sociology, Computer Science, and Research and Experimental Psychology. 95% is the average freshman retention rate. This is an indicator of student satisfaction.

 Student Life at Bowdoin College  

Bowdoin College’s undergraduate enrollment is 1,951 (fall 2021), and the gender distribution is 49% male to 51% female. The school has 93% student housing that is college-owned, –operated, or –affiliated. 7% of students live off-campus. Bowdoin College is a member of the NCAA III in sports.

Bowdoin College Campus

Bowdoin College provides various student services, including non-remedial tutoring and a women’s center, placement service, daycare, health services, insurance, and daycare. Bowdoin College offers security and safety services on campus, including late-night transport/escort service and 24-hour foot/vehicle patrols.

There are also lighted walkways, sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key and security card). 19% of students at Bowdoin College have cars. Bowdoin College allows students over the legal age of 21 to consume alcohol.

Location & Contact

Address

Contact

Bowdoin College Acceptance Rates FAQS

Q.1 Is Bowdoin a top 20 school?

ANS. Bowdoin College’s 2022-2023 rankings

Bowdoin College is ranked #6 among 210 National Liberal Arts Colleges. Schools are ranked based on performance against a set of accepted indicators of excellence.

Q.2 What GPA do you need for Bowdoin?

ANS. A 3.93 GPA is acceptable.

A 3.93 or higher GPA is also required. You should have a minimum 3.93 GPA or higher. You will need to impress Bowdoin with your entire application for admission.

Q.3 Is Bowdoin College Ivy League?

ANS. Bowdoin will not be listed among the Ivy League schools. These are Harvard, Yale, Yale, Princeton Dartmouth, Dartmouth Cornell Brown, Columbia, the University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia. The “Ivy League,” a term that identifies an athletic conference, is a defining term.

Q.4 Is Bowdoin a mini ivy?

ANS. Many of the Public Ivies have thousands of students. However, the Little Ivies typically have a more petite student body. Amherst and Bowdoin College each have fewer than 1,850 students. The Little Ivies are often focused on undergraduate education.

Q.5 Is Bowdoin a preppy school?

ANS. Bowdoin students tend to be preppy and athletic. A strong drinking culture surrounds Bowdoin. The majority of students are involved in a sport.

Q.6 What is Bowdoin known for academically?

ANS. Bowdoin College’s most popular majors are Political Science and Governance, General, Econometrics, Quantitative Economics, Mathematics, Biology/Biological Sciences; Biochemistry, English Language and Literature; Neuroscience, Sociology, Computer Science, and Research and…

Q.7 What is Bowdoin College best known for?

ANS. Bowdoin is a top liberal arts college in the country. It has historically performed well in rankings. Bowdoin was established in 1794. The first class, consisting of eight students, began in 1802.

Conclusions

Because of its low acceptance rate (less than one-tenth), Bowdoin College has been deemed a highly selective liberal arts institution.

Bowdoin’s admissions process is holistic and non-exempt from testing. The school also considers numerical data in making admissions decisions.

Strong application essays can help strengthen your application. You will also get strong letters of recommendation.

Bowdoin encourages interviewing interested candidates even though they may not be required.

If a student has unique stories or accomplishments, even if their grades and test scores fall below Bowdoin’s average range of performance, they might still be considered.