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College comparison
Bowdoin vs NYU
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric |  Bowdoin Brunswick, ME |  NYU New York, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateBowdoin College is more selective | 7% | 9% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1470–1550 | 1480–1560 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,873 | 28,663 |
| Avg net price | $14,398 | $37,050 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Bowdoin reports higher median earnings | $82,735 | $82,509 |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 88% |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $20,500 |
| Economic mobility | 1.1% | 3.6% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Private (nonprofit) |
Bowdoin vs NYU: how they compare
For an affluent family, the choice between Bowdoin and NYU is a foundational decision between a tight-knit, high-value liberal arts experience and a high-mobility, high-cost global university embedded in a world city.
By the numbers Bowdoin offers a significantly better financial value, with an average net price of $14k yielding a 5.7× return on earnings per dollar, compared to NYU's $37k net price and 2.2× return, despite identical 10-year median earnings of $83k. Selectivity is similar, with Bowdoin's 7% acceptance rate and 1470–1550 SAT range closely matching NYU's 9% and 1480–1560. Outcomes diverge in mobility and stability: NYU excels at propelling lower-income students forward with an 363% economic-mobility rate, while Bowdoin's rate is 109%. Bowdoin shows far greater admissions stability (17% admit-rate volatility vs. NYU's 127%) and slightly stronger financial health (2.9/3 vs. 2.7/3 DOE score), alongside a higher graduation rate (95% vs. 88%).
Where they overlap Both are highly selective institutions that produce graduates with strong, identical median early-career earnings. They attract academically driven students and offer rigorous programs.
How they differ The environments are polar opposites. Bowdoin is defined by its cohesive, residential college-town community in Maine, with a campus-centric life. NYU offers a decentralized, urban experience in New York City, where campus life blends into the city, providing access to professional networks and cultural resources but less traditional collegiate cohesion.
Quick answers
- Is Bowdoin College or New York University harder to get into?
- Bowdoin College is more selective: Bowdoin College's acceptance rate is approximately 7% and New York University's is approximately 9% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for Bowdoin College vs New York University?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1470–1550 at Bowdoin College and 1480–1560 at New York University. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.