The average acceptance rate at Bowdoin over the past 10 years is 10.52%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 7.13%. Bowdoin is highly selective, and gaining admission is challenging for most applicants.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 55.06%, and the 2025 yield is 53.59%. Overall, the yield has increased by 8.26% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of Bowdoin applicants increased by 20.96% (2,299 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 95.36% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 7.13%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that Bowdoin has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 53.59%. This rising yield trend demonstrates that Bowdoin is increasingly successful at converting admitted students into enrolled students. An increasing yield rate suggests stronger student preference for Bowdoin and indicates that the institution's admitted class quality and perceived value continue to improve.
For the 2025 admission cycle, Bowdoin received approximately 13,265 applications, admitted 946 students, and enrolled 507 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that Bowdoin is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.
Bowdoin 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at Bowdoin over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 10.52%, while the most recent rate stands at 7.13%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 7.13%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 11.54% and for women is 9.74%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at Bowdoin have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 14.87% | 15.89% | 14.07% |
| 2016-17 | 14.84% -0.03% |
16.56% 0.67% |
13.59% -0.49% |
| 2017-18 | 13.63% -1.21% |
15.37% -1.19% |
12.39% -1.20% |
| 2018-19 | 10.26% -3.36% |
11.57% -3.79% |
9.34% -3.04% |
| 2019-20 | 9.05% -1.21% |
10.34% -1.24% |
8.09% -1.25% |
| 2020-21 | 9.16% 0.10% |
10.28% -0.05% |
8.34% 0.25% |
| 2021-22 | 9.00% -0.16% |
10.01% -0.28% |
8.00% -0.34% |
| 2022-23 | 9.19% 0.20% |
9.81% -0.19% |
8.73% 0.73% |
| 2023-24 | 8.02% -1.18% |
8.63% -1.18% |
7.52% -1.21% |
| 2024-25 | 7.13% -0.88% |
6.95% -1.68% |
7.29% -0.24% |
| Average | 10.52% | 11.54% | 9.74% |
Bowdoin has demonstrated an improvement in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has increased from 49.50% in 2015 to 53.59% in 2025, representing a 8.26% increase. The 10-year average yield stands at 55.06%, reflecting strengthening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at Bowdoin from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has increased by 8.26% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 49.50% | 52.94% | 46.44% |
| 2016-17 | 49.85% 0.35% |
50.74% -2.20% |
49.06% 2.62% |
| 2017-18 | 50.71% 0.86% |
53.35% 2.61% |
48.38% -0.68% |
| 2018-19 | 54.72% 4.01% |
56.35% 3.00% |
53.31% 4.93% |
| 2019-20 | 59.05% 4.33% |
60.05% 3.70% |
58.10% 4.80% |
| 2020-21 | 53.89% -5.16% |
54.68% -5.37% |
53.19% -4.92% |
| 2021-22 | 63.05% 9.16% |
66.01% 11.33% |
59.91% 6.72% |
| 2022-23 | 58.93% -4.12% |
59.18% -6.82% |
58.72% -1.18% |
| 2023-24 | 57.34% -1.59% |
59.76% 0.58% |
55.12% -3.60% |
| 2024-25 | 53.59% -3.74% |
53.46% -6.31% |
53.82% -1.30% |
| Average | 55.06% | 56.65% | 53.60% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 9,159, the average number of admitted is 917, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 503.
The number of Bowdoin applicants increased by 20.96% (2,299 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 95.36% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Bowdoin College from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 6,790 | 1,010 | 500 |
| 2016-17 | 6,799 0.13% |
1,009 -0.10% |
503 0.60% |
| 2017-18 | 7,251 6.65% |
988 -2.08% |
501 -0.40% |
| 2018-19 | 9,081 25.24% |
932 -5.67% |
510 1.80% |
| 2019-20 | 9,332 2.76% |
845 -9.33% |
499 -2.16% |
| 2020-21 | 9,402 0.75% |
861 1.89% |
464 -7.01% |
| 2021-22 | 9,325 -0.82% |
839 -2.56% |
529 14.01% |
| 2022-23 | 9,376 0.55% |
862 2.74% |
508 -3.97% |
| 2023-24 | 10,966 16.96% |
879 1.97% |
504 -0.79% |
| 2024-25 | 13,265 20.96% |
946 7.62% |
507 0.60% |
| Average | 9,159 | 917 | 503 |
The following table compares Bowdoin College' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowdoin College | 8.02% | 7.13% | -11.10% |
| Unity Environmental University | - | 81.80% | -100.00% |
| University of New England | 91.63% | 88.84% | 3.14% |
| Husson University | 80.95% | 86.43% | -6.34% |
| Colby College | 7.09% | 6.83% | 3.81% |
| Bates College | 13.32% | 13.02% | 2.30% |
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