Head-to-head · 2026
Bowdoin College vs Southern Maine Community College
Compare average net price ($14,398 at Bowdoin College; $11,086 at Southern Maine Community College), ROI score (14.37 vs 9.39), ten-year median earnings ($82,735 vs $41,661), and admissions context (7.1% at Bowdoin College; Open / not reported at Southern Maine Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. Bowdoin College has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. Bowdoin College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Bowdoin College | Southern Maine Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 14.37 ✓ | 9.39 |
| Avg net price | $14,398 | $11,086 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $82,735 ✓ | $41,661 |
| Acceptance rate | 7.1% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 95.3% ✓ | 28.2% |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $10,331 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,873 | 5,675 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1520 | — |
| Metric advantages | 3 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Bowdoin College costs $3,312 more per year than Southern Maine Community College ($14,398 vs $11,086). Bowdoin College graduates report $41,074 higher median earnings after ten years ($82,735 vs $41,661). On EduGradify's model that puts Bowdoin College ahead on projected ROI (14.37 vs 9.39, exceptional investment).
The pricier option (Bowdoin College) still wins on return, because stronger graduate salaries outweigh its higher net price. On admissions, Bowdoin College reports 7.1% acceptance; Southern Maine Community College does not report a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data.
Frequently asked
Bowdoin College vs Southern Maine Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Bowdoin College or Southern Maine Community College the better value?
Bowdoin College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (14.37 vs 9.39), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Southern Maine Community College is cheaper — average net price $11,086 per year vs $14,398 at Bowdoin College. The annual difference of $3,312 adds up to about $13,248 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Bowdoin College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $82,735 vs $41,661 at Southern Maine Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $41,074.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Bowdoin College reports a A value grade; Southern Maine Community College reports B.