More selective than 94% of Maine colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
37% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 22% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Bowdoin College over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have Bowdoin College's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at Bowdoin College or have its file? Send it to us.
Bowdoin College SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Bowdoin College is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 730 | 770 |
| SAT math | 740 | 780 |
| ACT composite | 33 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1470 | 1550 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Bowdoin College admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 7% | 730–770 | 740–780 | 33–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 8% | 730–760 | 750–790 | 33–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Bowdoin College compared with other Maine colleges?
Bowdoin College has the 2nd-lowest acceptance rate of 16 Maine colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colby College | 7% | 89% | $17,180 |
| 2 | Bowdoin College | 7% | 95% | $14,398 |
| 3 | Bates College | 13% | 90% | $29,351 |
| 4 | Maine Maritime Academy | 54% | 58% | $23,414 |
| 5 | College of the Atlantic | 70% | 68% | $25,184 |
| 6 | Maine College of Health Professions | 71% | 67% | $26,312 |
| 7 | Maine College of Art & Design | 76% | 52% | $38,338 |
| 8 | University of Southern Maine | 79% | 40% | $13,596 |
| 9 | Husson University | 81% | 59% | $21,005 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Maine colleges →
Who enrolls at Bowdoin College
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Bowdoin College admissions questions
What is the Bowdoin College acceptance rate?
Bowdoin College accepts 7% of applicants, about 1 in 14. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 879 of 10,966 applicants were admitted.
Does Bowdoin College require the SAT or ACT?
Bowdoin College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 37% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 22% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Bowdoin College?
The middle 50% of Bowdoin College enrolled first-year students scored 1470–1550 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Bowdoin College?
57% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (504 of 879).
Is Bowdoin College getting harder to get into?
Bowdoin College accepted 7% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 8% for Fall 2023.
Is Bowdoin College the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Bowdoin College overview