Bowdoin College vs Franklin and Marshall College (FandM)

Bowdoin College and Franklin and Marshall College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Bowdoin, nestled in Brunswick, Maine, boasts a lower acceptance rate (10%) compared to Franklin and Marshall's (44%) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. While Bowdoin's student body is slightly larger, both colleges share a commitment to small class sizes, fostering close interactions between students and professors. Explore the comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, to determine which college best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bowdoin College	Franklin and Marshall College
Overview
Location	Brunswick, Maine	Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	Town: Fringe	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	97.0%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	8.8%	37.5%
Application fees	$65	$60
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	9,325	7,720
Total number of admissions given out	822	2,898
Admitted students who chose to enroll	517	510
Yield rate	62.9%	17.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$76,310	$80,618
Average net price	$26,727	$26,316
Tuition	$57,776	$63,216
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,630 Meal plan: $8,268	Room/dormitory: $8,722 Meal plan: $6,018
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	54.0% Average amount $45,153	62.0% Average amount $50,026
Students receiving federal student loan	11.0% Average amount $4,767	53.0% Average amount $4,947
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $20,700	7.0% Average amount $16,505

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,951 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%	2,145 Men 44.2% Women 55.8%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	91.5%	N/A
International students	7.1%	18.2%
Campus local/setting	Town: Fringe	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	1,913	2,272
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York California Maine Connecticut New Jersey	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Ethnic Studies Biological and Biomedical Sciences Natural Resources and Conservation Mathematics and Statistics	Social Sciences Physical Science Ethnic Studies Multidisciplinary Studies Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	93.8%	82.8%
Dropout rate	2.2%	2.0%
Transferred out	4.0%	13.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $104,192 Year 3: $122,292 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $83,803 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,127 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $77,719 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,934 Year 2: $50,231 Year 3: $60,473 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: N/A Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,244 Year 2: $42,123 Year 3: N/A Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $22,771 Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,658 Year 2: $39,009 Year 3: N/A Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,454 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,518 Year 2: $52,733 Year 3: $67,095 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,376 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $59,284 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $45,852 Year 3: $53,518 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $20,220 Year 2: $36,848 Year 3: $50,175 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,598 Year 2: $41,441 Year 3: $49,088 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,421 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $48,325 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $24,421 Year 3: $44,196 Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $33,487 Year 2: $33,459 Year 3: $42,722 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $36,848 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location and campus environment between Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall?

Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, Maine, a quintessential New England town offering a more secluded and nature-focused environment. Franklin & Marshall College, on the other hand, is situated in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a city with a blend of urban and suburban characteristics, providing easier access to larger metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and Baltimore. Bowdoin's campus is known for its classic New England architecture and proximity to the Maine coast, while Franklin & Marshall's campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings within a more urban setting.
How do Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall compare in terms of academic focus and strengths?

Both Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall offer strong liberal arts educations. Bowdoin is particularly well-regarded for its programs in environmental studies, government and legal studies, and natural sciences. Franklin & Marshall excels in areas like government, economics, and the humanities, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and research opportunities. While both emphasize undergraduate education, their specific departmental strengths and research focuses may differ, so exploring specific departments of interest is recommended.
What is the typical class size and student-to-faculty ratio at each college?

Both Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall pride themselves on small class sizes and close interaction between students and faculty. Bowdoin typically has an average class size of around 17 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 9:1. Franklin & Marshall also maintains a small class environment, with an average class size of around 19 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of about 10:1. These ratios ensure personalized attention and mentorship opportunities at both institutions.
How do the student bodies at Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall differ in terms of diversity and background?

Both Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall strive to create diverse and inclusive student bodies. Bowdoin draws a significant portion of its students from the Northeast, but also has a growing representation of students from across the United States and internationally. Franklin & Marshall also attracts students from diverse geographic locations and backgrounds, with a strong emphasis on socioeconomic diversity. Both colleges actively recruit students from underrepresented groups and offer various support programs to foster an inclusive campus environment. Specific demographic data can be found on each college's website.
What are the differences in social life and extracurricular activities at Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall?

Bowdoin's social life is often centered around campus events, outdoor activities, and a strong sense of community fostered by its residential life system. Given its location, outdoor pursuits like hiking, skiing, and kayaking are popular. Franklin & Marshall's social scene benefits from its location in Lancaster, offering access to city amenities and a wider range of off-campus activities. Both colleges offer a wide array of clubs, organizations, and athletic opportunities. Greek life is present at Franklin & Marshall, while Bowdoin does not have fraternities or sororities.
How do the costs of attendance and financial aid packages compare between Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall?

Both Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall have similar costs of attendance, which include tuition, room and board, and fees. Both institutions are committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of their students. They offer generous financial aid packages, including grants and scholarships, to make education accessible. It's important to use the Net Price Calculators on each college's website to get a personalized estimate of the cost based on your family's financial situation. Both schools are need-blind in their admissions process for domestic students.
What career services and alumni networks are available at Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall?

Both Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall offer comprehensive career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. They provide resources such as resume workshops, mock interviews, and networking events. Both colleges also have strong and active alumni networks that can provide valuable connections and mentorship opportunities. Bowdoin's alumni network is particularly strong in fields like finance, law, and government, while Franklin & Marshall's network is well-connected in areas like business, the arts, and education. Specific alumni directories and career services information can be found on each college's website.
How do Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall approach residential life and housing?

Both Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall emphasize the importance of residential life as an integral part of the college experience. Bowdoin has a strong residential college system, with most students living on campus for all four years. Housing options range from traditional dormitories to themed houses. Franklin & Marshall also requires students to live on campus for the majority of their undergraduate years, offering a variety of housing options, including traditional dorms, suites, and themed living communities. Both colleges aim to create supportive and engaging residential environments.
What are the application requirements and acceptance rates for Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall?

Both Bowdoin and Franklin & Marshall are highly selective institutions. Application requirements typically include high school transcripts, standardized test scores (though both are test-optional), essays, and letters of recommendation. Acceptance rates vary from year to year, but both colleges generally have acceptance rates below 20%. It's important to present a strong academic record, compelling essays, and demonstrate a genuine interest in the college's mission and values. Check each college's admissions website for the most up-to-date requirements and deadlines.
Which college is a better fit for me: Bowdoin or Franklin & Marshall?

The best college for you depends on your individual preferences and priorities. If you prefer a more secluded, nature-focused environment with a strong sense of community and a classic New England college experience, Bowdoin might be a better fit. If you prefer a more urban setting with access to city amenities, a wider range of off-campus activities, and a slightly larger student body, Franklin & Marshall might be a better choice. Consider visiting both campuses, talking to current students, and reflecting on your academic and personal goals to make an informed decision.

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