Bowdoin College

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If these numbers seem daunting, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition doesn't always mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students owe much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you're done with college.

Bowdoin College meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Bowdoin College is around $62,389 a year.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $20,652 of debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Bowdoin College

Bowdoin College is a private, nonprofit institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of Maine as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing an insitution where you qualify for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Don't forget to check your state's rules for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Maine colleges

Bowdoin College International Student Tuition

Bowdoin College has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Bowdoin College:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideBowdoin College •Bowdoin College-specific scholarships

---

Bowdoin College Room, Board, Fees, and More

---

Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Bowdoin College.

Room and Board Costs at Bowdoin College

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Bowdoin College

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges offer ways so that those with financial need to get help covering these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at Bowdoin College

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your transportation budget. At Bowdoin College, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area is usually expensive, but there may be more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. The Bowdoin College campus is in a town in Maine, not far from Portland and Maine.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to take into account the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

---

Total Tuition and Expenses at Bowdoin College

---

Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Bowdoin College.

How Much Does Bowdoin College Cost?

What will the cost of attending Bowdoin College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

---

Bowdoin College Financial Aid

---

In 2023, 907 of the 1,915 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Bowdoin College meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $62,389 a year. Around 23% of Bowdoin College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Bowdoin College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $20,652 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$14,728
Bowdoin College-Specific Loans	$4,257
Private Loans	$43,894

Most Common Loans for Bowdoin College Students
Federal Loans	21%
Institutional Loans	1%
Private loans	4%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Bowdoin College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Bowdoin College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Bowdoin College awarded 907 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $53.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $2.17 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Bowdoin College

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Bowdoin College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Bowdoin College was $62,389 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Bowdoin College seem more manageable.

What will attending Bowdoin College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Bowdoin College's net cost calculator on their website.

Bowdoin College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Bowdoin College does not have guaranteed tuition.

Bowdoin College offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Bowdoin College Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Bowdoin College has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Bowdoin College's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Bowdoin College's endowment was valued at $2.5 billion in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $36,375 for each full-time student enrolled.

---

Learn More About Bowdoin College

---

Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Bowdoin College