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College comparison
Bowdoin vs Pomona
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 |  Pomona Claremont, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance ratePomona College is more selective | 7% | 7% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1470–1550 | 1490–1560 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,873 | 1,666 |
| Avg net price | $14,398 | $19,285 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Bowdoin reports higher median earnings | $82,735 | $77,779 |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 93% |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $11,782 |
| Economic mobility | 1.1% | 2.0% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Private (nonprofit) |
Bowdoin vs Pomona: how they compare
Bowdoin and Pomona are highly selective liberal arts colleges, offering distinct environments for students who thrive in small, intensive academic settings.
By the numbers Both schools share a 7% acceptance rate and a DOE financial-health score of 2.9/3. However, their profiles diverge elsewhere. Bowdoin students have slightly higher 10-year median earnings ($83k vs. $78k) and a significantly lower average net price ($14k vs. $19k), resulting in a stronger AdmitQuant value score (5.7x vs. 4.0x earnings per dollar of net price). Bowdoin also shows lower admit-rate volatility (17% vs. 28%). Pomona excels in economic mobility, with a rate of 195% compared to Bowdoin's 109%, and is a more powerful pipeline to future science and engineering PhDs, with a scholar yield of 11.3 versus 6.7. Graduation rates are comparable (95% vs. 93%).
Where they overlap Both institutions offer an undergraduate-focused liberal arts experience, characterized by small class sizes and a reputation for rigorous academics. They are similarly selective and financially robust.
How they differ The contrast is primarily in environment and outcomes. Bowdoin is located in a college town in coastal Maine, while Pomona resides in a suburban Southern California setting within the Claremont Colleges consortium. Quantitatively, Bowdoin presents a stronger financial return profile, while Pomona demonstrates greater success in propelling lower-income students up the economic ladder and into STEM doctoral programs.
Who each suits Bowdoin may be a match for a student drawn to a residential community in a Northeast setting, who values a high-earnings potential relative to cost. Pomona may be better suited for a student who thrives in a collaborative consortium environment, prioritizes economic mobility, and has strong ambitions in graduate science research. The choice hinges on which quantitative outcome—financial value or scholarly/mobility pipeline—aligns more closely with the student's goals, and which coastal culture feels like a better personal fit.
Editorial overview — a qualitative summary of culture and fit, reviewed for accuracy. Not a ranking or a guarantee.
Quick answers
- Is Bowdoin College or Pomona College harder to get into?
- Pomona College is more selective: Bowdoin College's acceptance rate is approximately 7% and Pomona College's is approximately 7% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for Bowdoin College vs Pomona College?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1470–1550 at Bowdoin College and 1490–1560 at Pomona College. 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.