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Bowdoin College

Brunswick, United States Founded 1794 World Rank #4359

Overview

Acronyms: BC
Founded: 1794
Control Type: Private
Entity Type: Non-profit
World Rank: #4359
Rank in United States: #463
Motto: Ut Aquila Versus Coelum
Colours: White and black
Mascot: Polar bear
Around Bowdoin College campus
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Established in 1794, the Bowdoin College is a non-profit private liberal arts higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Brunswick (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), Maine.

Officially accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, Bowdoin College (BC) is a very small-sized coeducational US higher education institution. Bowdoin College (BC) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study.

This 229-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 0-9% making this US higher education organization an extremely selective institution.

International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

BC also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Geographic and contact information for Bowdoin College — useful before scheduling visits or sending enquiries. Each channel below routes to a different team, so pick the one matching your question.

Address: 255 Maine Street
Postal Code: 04011-8448
Phone: +1 (207) 725 3000
Fax: +1
Social Media:

Academic Details

Academic statistics for Bowdoin College — including its student body and academic staff numbers. Read these alongside rankings; institution scale changes how rankings should be interpreted.

Total Students: 1,873
Student Enrollment: 1
Academic Staff Range: 200-299
Campus Setting: Suburban
Memberships & Networks
National Athletic Association (NAA) National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Programs Offered

The programmes available at Bowdoin College are organised by level. Most institutions cluster intake decisions by faculty, so application timelines often run in waves through the year.

Bachelor's Degree

36 programmes

At undergraduate level, Bowdoin College offers 36 programmes. These bachelor's degrees typically open both direct employment pathways and routes into postgraduate specialisation.

Archeology Social & Cultural Studies
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Religion/Religious Studies Philosophy & Ethics
Chemistry Chemistry
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Earth Sciences & Geology
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Psychology, General Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology Psychology
Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Economics Economics
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Visual and Performing Arts, General Visual Arts
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Music Music
History History
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Area Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Education, General Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Education, Other Education & Teaching
Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Biochemistry
Neurobiology and Neurosciences Neuroscience
Mathematics Mathematics
Mathematics and Computer Science Liberal Arts
Human Computer Interaction Liberal Arts

How to apply to Bowdoin College

A practical five-step guide to applying to Bowdoin College, from programme research through submission and follow-up.

  1. 1
    Identify the right programme

    Use the programme finder to browse Bowdoin College's 36 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.

  2. 2
    Check entry requirements

    Programme-level requirements at Bowdoin College typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.

  3. 3
    Prepare your application documents

    Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.

  4. 4
    Submit via the institution

    Bowdoin College processes applications through www.bowdoin.edu. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.

  5. 5
    Get in touch with admissions

    Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (207) 725 3000. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bowdoin College

Concise answers to the most-searched questions about Bowdoin College, useful as a quick orientation before exploring the rest of the profile.

When did Bowdoin College open?

Bowdoin College traces its founding to 1794 (approximately 232 years ago).

What city is Bowdoin College in?

Bowdoin College operates from Brunswick, United States.

What is Bowdoin College's control type?

Bowdoin College operates as a private institution.

How big is Bowdoin College's student body?

Bowdoin College serves approximately 1,000-1,999 students.

Where does Bowdoin College stand in university rankings?

It ranks #4359 globally and #463 in United States.

Is Bowdoin College accredited?

Bowdoin College is accredited by New England Commission of Higher Education.

Where can I learn more about Bowdoin College?

Bowdoin College's official website is www.bowdoin.edu.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United States

Industry partnerships of the United States's top universities signal employer engagement at the apex of the system. Lower-ranked institutions including Bowdoin College may still partner with strong employers locally.

Members of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Below: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) member institutions alongside Bowdoin College, useful for shortlists weighted toward partnerships. Partnership-driven shortlisting works well when post-graduate mobility is part of your plan.

Faculties at Nearby Universities

Nearby institutions to Bowdoin College often share sports, residence, and student-life facilities through regional consortia. The shared infrastructure can shape your day-to-day experience meaningfully.

Where Else to Study Social & Cultural Studies

Capstone publication or portfolio output from Social & Cultural Studies programmes affects what you graduate with. Some the United States institutions retain student work; others publish it as part of programme outputs.

Universities Often Compared with Bowdoin College

Looking at Bowdoin College through a comparison lens? These universities share similar academic positioning and are commonly considered against Bowdoin College during the application process. Cross-comparison helps clarify the institutional fit beyond ranking signals.

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