Bates College
About Bates College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Bates College is a private liberal arts college in Lewiston, Maine. Highly selective with a 14% acceptance rate, it was the first coeducational college in New England. It offers programs in political science, economics, psychology, and the sciences, with a 93% graduation rate.
Founded
1855
Location
Lewiston, Maine
Students
1,760
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
13.3%
Highly selective
Graduation Rate
89.7%
Above national average
Tuition
$66,590
Per year
Avg Net Price
$29,351
After financial aid
SAT Average
1468
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$69,498
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Highly Selective
About 8 students apply for every seat
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
$60
Early
Nov 15
Regular
Jan 10
Bates College admits about 13.3% of applicants, with an average SAT around 1468. Strong academics are a must, and your essays and activities will make the difference.
SAT Scores
1468/ 1600
ACT Scores
32/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
89.7% complete their degree within six years
Retention
91.3%
4-Year Grad
88%
6-Year Grad
92%
Teaching Quality
10:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
95.2%
$/Student
$27.3K
Class Size
Small
88% of students graduate on time, and with a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, it's clear students get the personal attention they need to succeed.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$66,590
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$18,780
Books & Supplies
$900
Total Cost of Attendance
$83,532
After Financial Aid
$29,351
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$2,397
Receive Grants
11.5%
Take Loans
13.8%
Don't let the $66,590 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $29,351 after financial aid, a 56% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $2,397.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Bates College fund their education.
While in School
11.5%
Get Grants
Free money
13.8%
Take Loans
Must repay
$86,734
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$14,275
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$151/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $14,275, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Bates College.
Gender
51.8%
Female
48%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
1,760
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
15.1%
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
0.1%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (52% women, 48% men). 15.1% are first-generation college students. 9.8% international students add diversity to the campus.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Small
Campus Quick Facts
1,760
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
Liberal Arts
Classification
What This College Offers
4-1-4 calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
No
Evening College
No
Online Programs
No
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Bates College fields 16 varsity teams with 890 student athletes, about 51% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III with football
Conference
NESCAC
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
16
Biggest: Track & Cross Country
Student Athletes
890
51% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
58% / 42%
512
Men
378
Women
13
Men's Teams
14
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Bates Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$69,498
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Economics
$71K
65 grads
1yr Earnings
Political Science and Government
$41K
54 grads
1yr Earnings
Research and Experimental Psychology
$47K
50 grads
1yr Earnings
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
$38K
49 grads
1yr Earnings
Biology, General
$31K
43 grads
1yr Earnings
Mathematics
—
29 grads
Earnings grow steadily here: $59K at six years, $56K at eight, and $69K by ten. Well above average at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bates College
What is the acceptance rate at Bates College?▾
How much does Bates College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Bates College?▾
How much do Bates College graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.