Is Bowdoin test optional?

Yes. You can apply without a score. A common rule is to send it if it's at or above 1510 and hold it if it's under.

What is Bowdoin's acceptance rate?

7.1% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 946 of 13,265 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 95%, from 6,790 in 2015 to 13,265 in 2024, and Bowdoin's admit rate went from 15% to 7.1%.

What ACT score do you need for Bowdoin?

17% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 33–35, with a median of 34. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1470–1540 works out to about 33–35.

Why might Bowdoin's SAT range look high?

Only 35% of enrolled students sent an SAT. The range counts only those who did, and students with lower scores tend to hold theirs back.

Does applying early decision help at Bowdoin?

15% of early decision applicants were admitted (296 of 1,985), against 7.1% of all applicants. Early pools often include recruited athletes and other strong applicants, so the real edge is smaller than the gap.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for Bowdoin? (Middle 50%: 1470–1540)

First-year students at Bowdoin who sent an SAT scored 1470–1540, with a median of 1510 (Common Data Set 2025–26). Bowdoin admits 7.1% of applicants and is test optional.

Bowdoin College · Brunswick, ME

Where your score lands at Bowdoin

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1470–1540, median 1510

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median Fewer than half sent a score, so the range runs high

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Bowdoin is for you and whether to send your score.

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Bowdoin by the numbers

Admit rate: 7.1%
Middle 50% SAT: 1470–1540
Median SAT: 1510
About on the ACT: 33–35
Sent an SAT: 35%

Test optional · checked Nov 9, 2026 · Bowdoin admissions · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Bowdoin admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 95%, from 6,790 in 2015 to 13,265 in 2024, and Bowdoin's admit rate went from 15% to 7.1%.

15%
7.1%

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	13,265	946	7.1%
2023	10,966	879	8.0%
2022	9,376	862	9.2%
2021	9,325	822	8.8%
2020	9,402	861	9.2%
2019	9,332	845	9.1%
2018	9,081	932	10%
2017	7,251	988	14%
2016	6,799	1,009	15%
2015	6,790	1,010	15%

In fall 2024, 507 of the 946 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Bowdoin

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?

Under 1510Far reachHold
1510–1530Far reachSend
1540 and upReachSend

1300135014001450150015501600

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges.

Bowdoin SAT sections, ACT and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	730	760	780
SAT Reading and Writing	730	750	770
SAT total	1470	1510	1540
ACT composite	33	34	35

Of enrolled first-year students, 35% sent an SAT and 17% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Top 10% of their class: 89%; of new students who reported a rank

Bowdoin early decision

Early decision

296 of 1,985 early decision applicants were admitted.

Early decision15%
All applicants7.1%

Early pools often include recruited athletes and other strong applicants, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps on its own.

Common Data Set 2025–26.

Bowdoin cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $14,398; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 95%
Median earnings: $82,735; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 2,036

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Bowdoin

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

More colleges in Maine

Every college for an SAT of1470 1510 1540

Sources

Bowdoin Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Bowdoin admissions
Test policy for 2026–27, checked Nov 9, 2026.
Bowdoin website
Bowdoin College

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1470–1540, and the median was 1510. At 1510 or higher you're above half of them. Bowdoin admits 7.1% of applicants, so a top score keeps you in the running but doesn't decide it.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$