Hamilton College vs Bowdoin College

Hamilton College and Bowdoin College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Hamilton, located in Clinton, New York, boasts a slightly higher acceptance rate (14.6%) compared to Bowdoin's (10.6%) in Brunswick, Maine. While Hamilton's student body is more diverse, with 48% female and 52% male students, Bowdoin's is more evenly split, with 49% female and 51% male students. Both colleges excel in academics, with Hamilton's popular majors including Economics, Government, and English, while Bowdoin's strengths lie in Economics, Biology, and English. With graduation rates of 94% for Hamilton and 95% for Bowdoin, both institutions ensure their students are well-prepared for their future endeavors. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these exceptional colleges and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bowdoin College	Hamilton College
Overview
Location	Brunswick, Maine	Clinton, New York
Campus setting	Town: Fringe	Suburb: Midsize
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%	94.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	8.8%	14.1%
Application fees	$65	$60
SAT range	N/A	1410 - 1540
ACT range	N/A	33 - 35
Students submitting SAT score		32.0%
Students submitting ACT score		20.0%
Total number of applicants	9,325	9,380
Total number of admissions given out	822	1,320
Admitted students who chose to enroll	517	533
Yield rate	62.9%	40.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$76,310	$76,700
Average net price	$26,727	$26,803
Tuition	$57,776	$59,380
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,630 Meal plan: $8,268	Room/dormitory: $8,320 Meal plan: $6,910
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	54.0% Average amount $45,153	55.0% Average amount $47,867
Students receiving federal student loan	11.0% Average amount $4,767	35.0% Average amount $4,331
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $20,700	4.0% Average amount $25,195

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,951 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%	2,055 Men 45.8% Women 54.2%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	91.5%	N/A
International students	7.1%	6.8%
Campus local/setting	Town: Fringe	Suburb: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	1,913	2,057
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	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Ethnic Studies Biological and Biomedical Sciences Natural Resources and Conservation Mathematics and Statistics	Visual & Performing Arts Social Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Physical Science Mathematics and Statistics
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	93.8%	91.5%
Dropout rate	2.2%	0.8%
Transferred out	4.0%	6.8%
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 (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,571 Year 2: $63,501 Year 3: $84,359 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,593 Year 2: $59,045 Year 3: $74,628 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,577 Year 2: $53,894 Year 3: $56,960 Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $51,273 Year 3: N/A Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $24,772 Year 3: N/A International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $46,087 Year 3: N/A Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $50,856 Year 3: N/A Research and Experimental Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,978 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $46,087 Year 3: N/A Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $30,771 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hamilton College emphasizes a strong liberal arts curriculum with a focus on writing and communication skills, often through its distinctive 'Writing-Intensive' courses. Bowdoin College also offers a robust liberal arts education, but it is known for its strong programs in the sciences and its commitment to undergraduate research opportunities. Bowdoin also has a more established presence in areas like environmental studies and digital and computational studies.
How do the campus cultures of Hamilton and Bowdoin compare?

Hamilton College fosters a close-knit community with a strong emphasis on student self-governance and a vibrant social scene. It has a more active Greek life presence than Bowdoin. Bowdoin College is known for its collaborative and intellectually engaged atmosphere. It has a strong emphasis on community service and outdoor activities, reflecting its location in Maine. Both colleges have a strong sense of school spirit.
What is the student body like at Hamilton versus Bowdoin?

Both Hamilton and Bowdoin attract highly motivated and academically talented students. Hamilton's student body is slightly more diverse in terms of socioeconomic background. Bowdoin has a slightly higher percentage of students from the Northeast. Both colleges have a good mix of students from across the United States and internationally.
How do the locations of Hamilton and Bowdoin affect the student experience?

Hamilton College is located in Clinton, New York, a small town that provides a quintessential college-town experience. Students have easy access to the Adirondack Mountains and nearby cities like Syracuse. Bowdoin College is situated in Brunswick, Maine, a coastal town with access to the ocean and outdoor recreational opportunities. It is a bit further from major metropolitan areas, but offers a strong sense of place and community.
What are the strengths of the faculty at Hamilton and Bowdoin?

Both Hamilton and Bowdoin boast highly accomplished and dedicated faculty members. Hamilton is known for its faculty's commitment to undergraduate teaching and close student-faculty interaction. Bowdoin's faculty are also deeply committed to teaching, and are particularly strong in research, often involving undergraduates in their work. Both colleges have a high percentage of faculty who hold terminal degrees.
How do the career services at Hamilton and Bowdoin compare?

Both colleges offer comprehensive career services to help students with internships, job searches, and graduate school applications. Hamilton's career center is known for its strong alumni network and its focus on helping students develop strong communication and writing skills. Bowdoin's career services are well-regarded and provide extensive resources for students interested in a variety of fields, including those related to its location in Maine.
What are the financial aid and cost considerations for attending Hamilton versus Bowdoin?

Both Hamilton and Bowdoin are committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of admitted students. Both colleges offer generous financial aid packages, including need-based grants and scholarships. The overall cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is comparable at both institutions. Prospective students should review the specific financial aid policies and net price calculators on each college's website to determine their individual costs.
How do the athletic programs at Hamilton and Bowdoin differ?

Both Hamilton and Bowdoin are members of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), which is known for its strong academic standards and competitive athletics. Bowdoin has a slightly larger athletic program with more varsity teams. Both colleges offer a wide range of varsity, club, and intramural sports, providing ample opportunities for students to participate in athletics.
What are some notable alumni from Hamilton and Bowdoin?

Hamilton College alumni include prominent figures in various fields, such as politicians, writers, and business leaders. Bowdoin College has a distinguished alumni base, including U.S. Presidents Franklin Pierce and the explorer Robert Peary, as well as leaders in business, the arts, and public service. Both colleges have strong alumni networks that support current students and graduates.
Which college is a better fit for me: Hamilton or Bowdoin?

The best fit depends on your individual preferences and academic interests. If you are looking for a strong liberal arts education with a focus on writing and a vibrant social scene, Hamilton might be a good choice. If you are interested in a strong science program, undergraduate research, and a close-knit community with access to outdoor activities, Bowdoin could be a better fit. Consider visiting both campuses, if possible, and talking to current students to get a better sense of the culture and environment.

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