Bates College (Bates)
Private nonprofit four-year college in Lewiston, ME that costs an average of $27,390 a year after financial aid, admits 13% of applicants and graduates 88% of full-time students.
Private nonprofitSmall city1,760 undergraduates
Cost of Bates
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $87,520 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $70,146 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $19,784 |
| Books and supplies | $900 |
| Average net price after aid | $27,390 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $1,899 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $7,617 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $9,606 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $21,363 |
| $110,001+ | $46,685 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Bates's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 13% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,468 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 710–750 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 710–780 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 31–34 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 88% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 91% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $64,156 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $98,373 |
| Rank in Maine (earnings) | 2nd of 17 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $12,250 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $139 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 14% |
| Students with federal loans | 15% |
Majors and programs at Bates
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (30)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 136 | $74,917 | $13,861 |
| Political Science and Government | 108 | $54,502 | $15,750 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 100 | $47,495 | — |
| Anthropology | 13 | — | — |
| Area Studies | 19 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 58 | — | — |
| Biology | 82 | — | $15,348 |
| Chemistry | 11 | — | — |
| Classical and Ancient Studies | 8 | — | — |
| Dance | 5 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 9 | — | — |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 8 | — | — |
| Engineering | 1 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 45 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 18 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 23 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 16 | — | — |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 2 | — | — |
| History | 38 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 60 | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 4 | — | — |
| Music | 4 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 89 | — | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 47 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 23 | — | — |
| Physics | 29 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 12 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 14 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 19 | — | — |
| Sociology | 48 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Maine
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowdoin College | Brunswick | $15,595 | 7.1% | $90,153 |
| University of New England | Biddeford | $38,617 | 92% | $68,670 |
| Colby College | Waterville | $19,835 | 7.1% | $88,776 |
| Husson University | Bangor | $22,146 | 81% | $57,136 |
| Saint Joseph's College of Maine | Standish | $29,029 | 84% | $69,579 |
| Thomas College | Waterville | $23,739 | 96% | $53,206 |
| Unity Environmental University | New Gloucester | $20,750 | — | $46,894 |
| Maine College of Art & Design | Portland | $40,801 | 76% | $38,062 |
About Bates
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year college |
|---|---|
| Location | Lewiston, ME |
| Setting | Small city |
| Undergraduates | 1,760 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 9 to 1 |
| Accreditor | New England Commission on Higher Education |
| Website | bates.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Bates's acceptance rate?
Bates College admits 13% of applicants, making it highly selective. Admitted students average 1,468 on the SAT.
How much does Bates cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $87,520 a year (tuition and fees: $70,146). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $27,390 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $1,899.
How much do Bates graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $98,373 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 2nd of 17 similar colleges in Maine. The best-paid bachelor's program is economics ($74,917 a year after graduation).
What is Bates's graduation rate?
88% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 91% of first-year students return for a second year.