Middlebury College vs Bowdoin College

Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of New England, Middlebury College and Bowdoin College stand as two beacons of academic excellence. While both institutions share a commitment to liberal arts education, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique histories, campus cultures, and academic strengths. Middlebury, known for its rigorous language programs and international focus, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a higher percentage of international students. Bowdoin, on the other hand, excels in the sciences and social sciences, attracting a slightly larger student body with a higher graduation rate. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into the details that set these two prestigious colleges apart, helping you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Bowdoin College	Middlebury College
Overview
Location	Brunswick, Maine	Middlebury, Vermont
Campus setting	Town: Fringe	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	97.0%	94.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	8.8%	13.4%
Application fees	$65	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $75
SAT range	N/A	1380 - 1530
ACT range	N/A	32 - 34
Students submitting SAT score		31.0%
Students submitting ACT score		23.0%
Total number of applicants	9,325	11,906
Total number of admissions given out	822	1,601
Admitted students who chose to enroll	517	680
Yield rate	62.9%	42.5%
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	$78,820
Average net price	$26,727	$26,958
Tuition	$57,776	$59,330
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,630 Meal plan: $8,268	Room/dormitory: $9,600 Meal plan: $7,450
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	54.0% Average amount $45,153	52.0% Average amount $49,988
Students receiving federal student loan	11.0% Average amount $4,767	25.0% Average amount $4,384
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $20,700	10.0% Average amount $7,858

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,951 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%	2,858 Men 46.4% Women 53.6%
Graduate students	N/A	79 Men 8.9% Women 91.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	91.5%	94.7%
International students	7.1%	12.3%
Campus local/setting	Town: Fringe	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	1,913	2,891
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	New York Mississippi California Connecticut Vermont

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Ethnic Studies Biological and Biomedical Sciences Natural Resources and Conservation Mathematics and Statistics	Foreign Languages and Literatures Social Sciences Ethnic Studies English Language and Literature Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	93.8%	91.2%
Dropout rate	2.2%	1.7%
Transferred out	4.0%	7.1%
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: $69,712 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $98,106 International Relations and National Security Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,169 Year 2: $60,523 Year 3: $68,272 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,074 Year 2: $41,025 Year 3: $62,953 International Business (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,380 Year 2: $55,512 Year 3: $62,186 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $51,883 Year 2: $56,544 Year 3: $61,255 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $53,031 Year 2: $40,485 Year 3: $60,732 Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,928 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $57,550 Education, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,155 Year 2: $46,869 Year 3: $50,725 Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $38,056 Year 2: $43,798 Year 3: $44,126 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,769 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $41,771

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Middlebury College is renowned for its strong language programs, particularly its immersive language schools and the Bread Loaf School of English. Bowdoin College, while also offering a strong liberal arts education, is known for its robust offerings in the sciences and its commitment to undergraduate research opportunities. Both colleges emphasize a broad liberal arts curriculum, but Middlebury leans slightly more towards humanities and language, while Bowdoin has a stronger emphasis on STEM fields.
How do the campus cultures of Middlebury and Bowdoin compare?

Both colleges foster a close-knit community, but their cultures have distinct flavors. Middlebury's culture is often described as being more focused on outdoor activities, given its location in the Green Mountains, and a strong emphasis on environmentalism. Bowdoin, located closer to the coast, has a more maritime feel and a slightly more preppy culture, with a strong emphasis on athletics and a history of social activism.
What are the strengths of the faculty at Middlebury and Bowdoin?

Both institutions boast highly accomplished and accessible faculty. Middlebury's faculty are particularly strong in language, literature, and environmental studies. Bowdoin's faculty are known for their dedication to undergraduate teaching and research, with notable strengths in the sciences, economics, and government. Both colleges prioritize small class sizes and close student-faculty interaction.
How does the location of each college impact the student experience?

Middlebury's location in rural Vermont provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, including skiing, hiking, and access to the Green Mountains. The town of Middlebury is small but offers a charming New England experience. Bowdoin's location in Brunswick, Maine, offers a more accessible town with a vibrant arts scene and proximity to the coast. Students at Bowdoin also have easy access to Portland, Maine, a larger city with more cultural and professional opportunities.
What are the differences in the social scene at Middlebury and Bowdoin?

Both colleges offer active social scenes, but the nature of these scenes differs. Middlebury's social life often revolves around campus events, outdoor activities, and the town of Middlebury. Bowdoin's social scene is often centered around athletic events, Greek life (though less prevalent than at some other schools), and activities in Brunswick and Portland. Both colleges offer a variety of clubs and organizations to cater to diverse interests.
How do the career services at Middlebury and Bowdoin compare?

Both colleges provide robust career services to support students in their career exploration and job searches. Bowdoin's career services may have a slight advantage in terms of access to opportunities in the Northeast, particularly in finance and consulting, due to its location and alumni network. Middlebury's career services are strong in areas related to international affairs, environmental studies, and language-related fields, leveraging its global connections.
What are the financial aid and cost considerations for attending Middlebury and Bowdoin?

Both Middlebury and Bowdoin are committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of admitted students. Both colleges have generous financial aid policies, including need-blind admissions. The overall cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is comparable at both institutions. Prospective students should review the specific financial aid packages offered by each college based on their individual circumstances.
Which college is better for students interested in international study?

Middlebury College is widely recognized for its exceptional international programs, including its language schools and study abroad opportunities. Bowdoin also offers strong study abroad programs, but Middlebury's focus on language immersion and its global network give it a slight edge for students prioritizing international experiences.
How do the alumni networks of Middlebury and Bowdoin differ?

Both colleges have active and supportive alumni networks. Middlebury's alumni network is particularly strong in international affairs, environmental fields, and language-related professions. Bowdoin's alumni network is well-connected in finance, consulting, and the arts, with a strong presence in the Northeast. Both networks are valuable resources for students seeking internships, career advice, and networking opportunities.
What are the athletic programs like at Middlebury and Bowdoin?

Both colleges are members of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) and offer competitive Division III athletic programs. Bowdoin has a slightly larger athletic program with a wider range of sports. Middlebury is known for its strong skiing and hockey programs, while Bowdoin excels in sports like ice hockey, lacrosse, and swimming. Both colleges emphasize the importance of athletics within the broader liberal arts experience.

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