Graduates earn among the highest incomes nationally, with outcomes that significantly exceed peer expectations.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Bowdoin graduates experience robust earnings growth throughout their early-to-mid career development. Starting at $61,692 six years after enrollment, earnings advance to $79,520 by the eight-year mark and reach $82,735 at ten years, representing 34.1% growth from the six-year baseline.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduates from this institution significantly outperform peers — earnings are 64% higher than similar schools.
Financial justification for the investment.
Excellent affordability. Median debt of $18,500 is well under annual earnings, enabling comfortable repayment.
Student debt levels at Bowdoin College remain well-controlled relative to both peer institutions and graduate earning potential. Median debt reaches $18,500, ranking at the 77th percentile nationally and sitting $6,500 below the peer median of $25,000.
Bowdoin College demonstrates exceptional return on investment, ranking at the 97.2nd percentile nationally and placing among the highest we track for overall educational value. Graduates earn $13,952 beyond expectations relative to similar students nationwide, ranking at the 90.1st percentile for value creation and reflecting the institution's ability to enhance economic outcomes.
Approximately 16.3% of Bowdoin graduates continue to graduate or professional study, with medium confidence in this estimate based on program mix anal...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Bowdoin's strongest earnings outcomes concentrate in programs that combine liberal arts education with clear career pathways. Computer Science leads at $128,937, reflecting strong technology sector demand, while Applied Economics delivers $88,368 in a field that bridges analytical skills with business applications.
American Government and Politics graduates earn $69,008, demonstrating solid outcomes for public service and policy careers. Mathematics graduates earn $67,101, providing strong preparation for finance, consulting, and graduate study.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
The earnings distribution at Bowdoin reveals substantial upside potential across career outcomes. With earnings spanning from $50,534 at the 25th percentile to $126,498 at the 75th percentile, the 2.5:1 ratio indicates meaningful variation in career trajectories while maintaining strong floor outcomes.
