Davidson College vs Bowdoin College

Davidson College and Bowdoin College, both highly regarded liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Davidson, located in North Carolina, boasts a slightly larger student body and a higher acceptance rate compared to Bowdoin in Maine. While both colleges excel in the humanities and social sciences, Davidson has a stronger focus on pre-professional programs, particularly in business and engineering. Bowdoin, on the other hand, is known for its strengths in the natural sciences and environmental studies. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further differences in acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation outcomes, helping you determine which college better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bowdoin College	Davidson College
Overview
Location	Brunswick, Maine	Davidson, North Carolina
Campus setting	Town: Fringe	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	97.0%	95.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Presbyterian

Admission
Acceptance rate	8.8%	17.8%
Application fees	$65	$50
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	9,325	6,434
Total number of admissions given out	822	1,145
Admitted students who chose to enroll	517	547
Yield rate	62.9%	47.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$76,310	$73,200
Average net price	$26,727	$25,794
Tuition	$57,776	$54,460
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,630 Meal plan: $8,268	Room/dormitory: $7,700 Meal plan: $7,525
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	54.0% Average amount $45,153	64.0% Average amount $47,889
Students receiving federal student loan	11.0% Average amount $4,767	10.0% Average amount $5,095
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $20,700	2.0% Average amount $33,219

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,951 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%	1,973 Men 47.2% Women 52.8%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	91.5%	76.8%
International students	7.1%	8.2%
Campus local/setting	Town: Fringe	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	1,913	1,830
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York California Maine Connecticut New Jersey	North Carolina Virginia Texas New Jersey Florida

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Ethnic Studies Biological and Biomedical Sciences Natural Resources and Conservation Mathematics and Statistics	Psychology Physical Science Social Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Ethnic Studies
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	10:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	93.8%	89.6%
Dropout rate	2.2%	10.0%
Transferred out	4.0%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $104,192 Year 3: $122,292 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $83,803 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,127 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $77,719 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,934 Year 2: $50,231 Year 3: $60,473 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: N/A Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,244 Year 2: $42,123 Year 3: N/A Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $22,771 Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,658 Year 2: $39,009 Year 3: N/A Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,454 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A	Economics (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $60,797 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $80,388 Political Science and Government (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $42,752 Year 2: $45,715 Year 3: $53,747 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $43,240 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $41,099 Year 2: $35,330 Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $31,670 Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $34,292 Year 2: $28,598 Year 3: N/A Anthropology (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: N/A History (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $22,075 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key academic differences between Davidson College and Bowdoin College?

Davidson College and Bowdoin College both offer strong liberal arts educations. Davidson is known for its Honor Code, which fosters a strong sense of community and academic integrity. Bowdoin emphasizes a commitment to public service and global engagement. While both offer a wide range of majors, Bowdoin has a slightly larger faculty and student body, potentially offering more specialized courses. Davidson's focus on undergraduate education is very strong, while Bowdoin also has a strong commitment to undergraduate education.
How do the campus cultures of Davidson and Bowdoin compare?

Davidson College has a close-knit, community-oriented culture, heavily influenced by its Honor Code. Students often describe a supportive and collaborative environment. Bowdoin College also fosters a strong sense of community, with a focus on inclusivity and social responsibility. Bowdoin's culture is often described as more relaxed and less formal than Davidson's, with a strong emphasis on outdoor activities and a connection to the Maine coast.
What are the strengths of Davidson's academic programs?

Davidson College is particularly strong in pre-med, pre-law, and humanities programs. The college's emphasis on undergraduate research and close faculty-student interaction provides students with excellent opportunities for academic growth. The Honor Code also contributes to a rigorous and supportive learning environment.
What are the strengths of Bowdoin's academic programs?

Bowdoin College excels in its humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences programs. Bowdoin is also known for its strong programs in environmental studies and government. The college's commitment to global engagement provides students with opportunities for international study and research.
How does the financial aid offered by Davidson and Bowdoin compare?

Both Davidson College and Bowdoin College are committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of admitted students. Both institutions have generous financial aid policies, including need-blind admissions. It's recommended to compare the specific financial aid packages offered to you by each college based on your individual circumstances.
What is the social life like at Davidson and Bowdoin?

Davidson College's social life is centered around campus events, student organizations, and the Honor Code, which fosters a sense of trust and community. Bowdoin College offers a vibrant social scene with a focus on outdoor activities, campus events, and a strong sense of community. Both colleges have active Greek life, but it is not the dominant social force at either institution.
How do the locations of Davidson and Bowdoin differ?

Davidson College is located in Davidson, North Carolina, a suburban town near Charlotte. This provides students with access to a larger city while maintaining a close-knit campus environment. Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, Maine, a coastal town with access to the outdoors and a strong sense of community. The location offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and a different cultural experience compared to Davidson.
What are the athletic opportunities at Davidson and Bowdoin?

Both Davidson College and Bowdoin College offer a wide range of athletic opportunities. Davidson competes in NCAA Division I for most sports, while Bowdoin competes in NCAA Division III. Both colleges have strong athletic programs and a supportive athletic culture. Students can participate in varsity sports, club sports, and intramural activities.
Which college is better for someone interested in pre-med?

Both Davidson and Bowdoin have strong pre-med programs and a good track record of placing students in medical schools. Davidson's pre-med advising is particularly well-regarded. The best choice depends on the individual student's preferences and fit with the college's culture and academic environment.
Which college is better for someone interested in pre-law?

Both Davidson and Bowdoin have strong pre-law programs. Davidson's emphasis on critical thinking and writing skills, fostered by the Honor Code, can be particularly beneficial for pre-law students. Bowdoin's strong humanities and social sciences programs also provide a solid foundation for law school. The choice depends on the student's overall preferences.
How does the alumni network of Davidson and Bowdoin compare?

Both Davidson and Bowdoin have active and supportive alumni networks. Davidson's alumni network is known for its strong sense of loyalty and engagement. Bowdoin's alumni network is also very supportive, with a strong presence in various fields. Both networks can provide valuable career support and networking opportunities.
What are the average class sizes at Davidson and Bowdoin?

Both Davidson and Bowdoin emphasize small class sizes and close interaction between students and faculty. You can expect to find average class sizes of around 20 students or fewer at both institutions, especially in upper-level courses.

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