Head-to-head · 2026
Bowdoin College vs University of Maine
Compare average net price ($14,398 at Bowdoin College; $17,510 at University of Maine), ROI score (14.37 vs 6.95), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($82,735 vs $48,653), and admissions selectivity (7.1% acceptance at Bowdoin College; 96.6% at University of Maine) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Bowdoin College | University of Maine |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 14.37 ✓ | 6.95 |
| Avg net price | $14,398 ✓ | $17,510 |
| 4-year avg net price | $57,592 ✓ | $70,040 |
| In-state tuition | $67,832 | $13,326 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $67,832 | $36,756 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $82,735 ✓ | $48,653 |
| Acceptance rate | 7.1% | 96.6% |
| Graduation rate | 95.3% ✓ | 54.9% |
| Retention rate | 96.8% ✓ | 83.4% |
| Median debt | $18,500 ✓ | $25,000 |
| Enrollment | 1,873 | 8,496 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1520 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Bowdoin College | University of Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,145 ✓ | $12,642 |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,800 ✓ | $13,280 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,007 ✓ | $14,631 |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,801 ✓ | $18,508 |
| Family income $110k+ | $35,196 | $22,018 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Bowdoin College | University of Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 13.2% | 1.9% |
| Economics | 12.4% | 1.3% |
| Computer Science | 6.7% | 1.1% |
| Biology, General | 5.2% | 2.3% |
| Mathematics | 6.8% | 0.4% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 4.6% | 1.8% |
| History | 4.6% | 1% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 3.3% | 2.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Bowdoin College reports the lower average net price by $3,112 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $12,448 difference over four years ($57,592 vs $70,040).
Bowdoin College reports $34,082 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($82,735 vs $48,653). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 96.8% at Bowdoin College and 83.4% at University of Maine. Median federal debt among completers is $18,500 vs $25,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Bowdoin College vs University of Maine, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Bowdoin College is cheaper — average net price $14,398 per year vs $17,510 at University of Maine. The annual difference of $3,112 adds up to about $12,448 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Bowdoin College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $82,735 vs $48,653 at University of Maine. The gap in the federal data is $34,082. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Bowdoin College is more selective at 7.1% acceptance vs 96.6% at University of Maine.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.