Admissions

We're here to ensure that nothing stands between you and your success as a student.

Bowdoin is one of only eight colleges and universities that is need blind (your ability to pay is never a factor or barrier to admission) and meets the full calculated need of every student we admit

All of Bowdoin’s student aid packages consist of grants and need-based scholarships that never need to be repaid.

And, our financial support doesn't start and end with the tuition bills—for many students, it starts with an application fee waiver, and ends with scholarships to graduate school, with lots more during your time at Bowdoin.

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WATCH: Associate Director of Student Aid LK Gagnon explains what it means to meet 100% of your calculated financial need.


Support every step of the way.

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Focus on whatever comes next, without student debt limiting your options.

Bowdoin's financial support is behind you throughout your college career—going well beyond tuition, housing, and food, to include things like studying abroad, internships, personal computing, and more.

This means that you can concentrate on doing what you do best—just being a Bowdoin student.

Learn how we support your journey


Quick Numbers

$69,000

the average annual aid package awarded to incoming students

$0

the amount of loans in our finanacial aid packages

51%

students in the most recent class receiving aid from Bowdoin


What else do I need to know?

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In the most recent admitted class,
need-based Bowdoin scholarships (which never have to be repaid) ranged from $8,950 to $82,900.
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We waive the $65 application fee
for any student applying for aid,
or who will be the first in their family to attend college.
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We are one of only eight schools in the US that is need-blind and meets the full calculated need of all applicants, domestic and international.

2023–2024 Cost of Attendance

Direct Costs

Tuition $64,304
Fees $606
Housing $8,488
Food $9,202
Direct Costs Total $82,600

Indirect Costs

Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $840
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $1,660
Transportation varies
Indirect Costs Total $2,500

Total Cost of Attendance $85,100+

This page is meant to be an overview and an introduction to costs and aid at Bowdoin. When you're ready to talk about detailed numbers and processes, the Office of Student Aid employs five of the best listeners we've ever met—they work with each applicant's family, one-on-one.

Calculate your Costs

Bowdoin meets every student's demonstrated need with scholarships and campus employment—not loans.

We offer two different calculators to help you estimate your family's share of the cost to attend Bowdoin. Every student's situation is different, and we encourage you to reach out at any time with questions.

Have five minutes?

Answer six basic questions to get a sense of what you can expect to pay at Bowdoin. (This tool does not apply to Canadian or other international students.)

College Cost Calculator


Do you have eleven minutes?

Associate Director of Student Aid LK Gagnon will cover everything you need to know before you apply for aid at Bowdoin.