Overview of Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College is a private liberal arts college located in Brunswick, Maine, United States. Established in 1794, Bowdoin has a rich history and a strong commitment to providing a rigorous and comprehensive education. Known for its small size, vibrant community, and emphasis on the liberal arts, Bowdoin College has earned a reputation as one of the top liberal arts institutions in the United States.
Academic Excellence: Bowdoin College is renowned for its academic excellence and commitment to the liberal arts tradition. The college offers a wide range of majors and minors across various disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and fine arts. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a well-rounded education, fostering critical thinking, effective communication, and a deep appreciation for intellectual inquiry.
One distinctive feature of Bowdoin’s academic program is its commitment to student-faculty collaboration. The college boasts a low student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for close interactions between students and professors. This emphasis on mentorship and individualized attention enhances the learning experience and facilitates meaningful research opportunities for students.
Campus and Community: The Bowdoin College campus is situated on 215 picturesque acres in Brunswick, Maine. Characterized by historic buildings and modern facilities, the campus provides an ideal environment for academic pursuits, collaboration, and personal growth. The college’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its green initiatives and LEED-certified buildings.
The Bowdoin community is known for its inclusivity and strong sense of camaraderie. With a relatively small student body, students often form close bonds with their peers, faculty, and staff. The campus is home to a diverse range of student organizations, clubs, and athletic teams, contributing to a vibrant and engaging community life.
Student Life: Bowdoin College places a strong emphasis on the holistic development of its students. Beyond the classroom, students have ample opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership roles. The college hosts a variety of cultural events, lectures, and performances throughout the year, enriching the academic and social experience.
Athletics also play a significant role in student life at Bowdoin. The Polar Bears, as the college’s teams are known, compete in the NCAA Division III and are members of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). The college’s commitment to a well-rounded education includes a focus on physical fitness and sportsmanship.
Global Perspective: Bowdoin College encourages students to develop a global perspective and engage with the broader world. The college offers study abroad programs, enabling students to immerse themselves in different cultures and gain a deeper understanding of global issues. Additionally, Bowdoin’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in its efforts to create a campus environment that welcomes students from diverse backgrounds.
Alumni Success: Bowdoin College has a strong alumni network, with graduates who have made significant contributions to various fields. Alumni include leaders in government, business, the arts, and academia. The college’s emphasis on critical thinking, effective communication, and ethical leadership prepares graduates for success in a rapidly changing world.
Bowdoin College stands as a beacon of academic excellence, fostering a community dedicated to intellectual exploration, personal growth, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world. With its rich history, picturesque campus, and a commitment to the liberal arts, Bowdoin continues to be a respected institution in the landscape of American higher education.
5700 College Station Brunswick, ME 04011-8448
Phone: (207) 725-3100
Email: admissions@bowdoin.edu
Web site: http://www.bowdoin.edu
Rankings: Bowdoin College
Located in Brunswick, ME, Bowdoin College is one of the best universities in the state of Maine. On this page, you will find in-depth rankings for Bowdoin College in the following areas: graduation rates, teaching resources, financing opportunities, and alumni donations. Latest acceptance rate is also given to show how competitive is Bowdoin College.
Bowdoin College is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. The college has been ranked as one of the best national liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report for the past nine years, with an overall ranking of fourth in 2020. Additionally, Bowdoin has been named a “Best Value” school by both U.S. News & World Report and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine for 2020. In 2019, Bowdoin was also named one of the best colleges for undergraduate teaching by The Princeton Review and was ranked as one of Forbes Magazine’s Top Colleges for 2019-2020, which highlights schools that provide students with an outstanding educational experience at an affordable price.
Bowdoin College is also highly regarded academically and is considered to be one of the most selective schools in the nation; its acceptance rate for fall 2019 was just 10%. The college also ranks highly in terms of student satisfaction; according to Niche’s 2020 College Rankings, Bowdoin received an overall grade of A+ from its students. This grade takes into account student reviews, academics, diversity, campus life, safety and more, making it clear that Bowdoin is a great place to learn and grow as a person. Furthermore, Bowdoin has consistently earned high marks from Forbes Magazine’s America’s Top Colleges list since 2015; this ranking considers factors such as alumni earning potential and graduation rate to determine which schools are providing students with the best education possible.
| Rankings, Ratings, and Admissions Statistics | |
| Overall Ranking: | 6 |
| Score: | 90 |
| Peer college rating (out of 5) | 4.3 |
| Graduation and retention ranking: | 4 |
| Average freshman retention rate: | 97.8% |
| 6-year graduation rate: | 91.0% |
| Predicted graduation rate: | 90% |
| Overperformance(+)/Underperformance(-): | 1 |
| Faculty resources ranking: | 16 |
| Classes with under 20 students (2020): | 68.7% |
| Classes with 50 or more students (2020): | 3.4% |
| Student faculty ratio (2020): | 9:1 |
| Percent of faculty who are full-time (2020) | 94.2% |
| Student selectivity ranking: | 9 |
| SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile (2020) | 1300-1510 |
| 2020 Freshmen in top 10 percent of high school class: | 82% |
| Freshmen in top 25 percent of high school class (2020): | 98% |
| Fall 2020 Acceptance rate: | 18.6% |
| Financial resources rank: | 12 |
| Alumni giving rank: | 7 |
| Average alumni giving rate (2020): | 54.0% |
Essential Facts: Bowdoin College
- At the time Bowdoin was chartered, in 1794, Maine was still a part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Bowdoin College Academics. The student-faculty ratio at Bowdoin College is 9:1, and the school has 70 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students.
- The most popular majors at Bowdoin College include: Political Science and Government, General; Economics, General; Mathematics, General; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; and History, General.
Rules and regulations Sports Activities
| General Information | |
| Percent of undergraduate students who live in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing: | 94% |
| Percent of undergraduates who are members of a fraternity: | 0% |
| Percent of student body who are members of a sorority: | 0% |
| Average percentage of students on campus during weekends: | 90% |
| Are all students permitted to have cars on campus? | Yes |
| Percent of students who have cars on campus: | 40% |
| Is alcohol permitted on campus for students of legal age? | Yes |
| Additional policies and regulations: | class attendance policies set by individual instructors, honor code, hazing prohibited, smoking prohibited, other |
| Collegiate athletic association: | NCAA III |
| Men’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Women’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Student activities: | choral groups, concert band, dance, drama/theater, international student organization, jazz band, literary magazine, music ensembles, musical theater, radio station, student government, student newspaper, student film society, symphony orchestra, television station, yearbook |