Bowdoin College reaches No. 3 in national liberal arts rankings

Bowdoin College has reached a new high in the U.S. News and World Report 2027 rankings, tying for third place among the nation’s best liberal arts colleges. This marks the school’s highest ranking since 2018, following a climb from the ninth spot in 2024.

Seven Maine institutions appeared in the latest rankings. On the liberal arts list, Colby College is tied for 21st, while Bates College is tied for 25th. College of the Atlantic is ranked 132nd.

In the national university category, the University of Maine is ranked 262, tied with the University of New England. The University of Southern Maine appears in the bottom 10% of the national universities list but is not specifically ranked.