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Bates College

Bates College

Lewiston, ME · City · 1,760 students
Website Common App Forbes ranking Scorecard
Nov 15 · Early Decision I (binding) · in 35 days
Checked Sep 2026 · bates.edu
$29,351
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
90%
Graduation rate
69% typical
$69,498
Earnings 10 years on
$58,391 typical
13%
Acceptance rate
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

Located in Lewiston, Maine, Bates College is a top-tier liberal arts institution celebrated for its historic commitment to inclusivity and standout programs in the social sciences, biology, and environmental studies. The academic experience is uniquely defined by a mandatory, faculty-mentored senior thesis for nearly all students and a 4-4-1 calendar featuring an immersive May "Short Term" dedicated to focused research, experiential learning, and off-campus study. Campus culture is collaborative, unpretentious, and outdoorsy, with students deeply engaged in community-engaged learning and recreation throughout Maine's natural landscapes. Bates further distinguishes itself through its signature "Purposeful Work" initiative, which intentionally weaves career exploration, paid internships, and reflection into the core undergraduate experience.

Wikipedia:Bates College is a private liberal arts college in Lewiston, Maine, United States. Anchored by the Historic Quad, the campus of Bates totals 813 acres (329 ha) with a small urban campus. It maintains 600 acres (240 ha) of nature preserve known as the Bates–Morse Mountain Conservation Area near Campbell Island and a coastal center on Atkins Bay. With an annual enrollment of approximately 1,800 students, it is the smallest college in its athletic conference.

Location
Lewiston, ME, 04240 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
PWM · Portland ME
32 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$66,590
Housing & food (on campus)$18,780
Books & supplies$900
Cost of attendance$83,532
Average net price$29,351
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$66,590
Housing & food (on campus)$18,780
Books & supplies$900
Cost of attendance$83,532
Average net price$29,351
Net price by family income
$0–30k
$2,397
$30–48k
$8,958
$48–75k
$11,336
$75–110k
$19,468
$110k+
$45,886
Grants from the school
40% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $57,620
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
90%
Within 4 yrs
82%
Back for yr 2
91%
Transferred
7%
Pell students: 95.7% · others: 89.1% 
8 yrs after starting
92% graduated · 6% transferred · 2% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$59,202
10 yrs after entry$69,498
Debt
Median at graduation$14,275
Monthly payment$151
Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$21.4k
90th percentile$28,950
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
13%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1468
R 710–750 · M 710–780
SAT middle 50%: 1420–1530
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 12.2% · women 14.5% 
Yield: 36.5% of admitted students enroll 
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision I
Nov 15 2026
binding in 35 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Early Decision II
Jan 10 2027
binding in 91 days
A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Regular Decision
Jan 10 2027
in 91 days · round is non-binding. The
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Sep 2026 · bates.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Bates College: Very important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Bates College's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Bates College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 48%Women 52%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
9 : 1
Pell grant
12%
First-gen
15%
Family income
$86,734
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
0%
Where first-years come from
In state (ME)
8.4%
Out of state
80.9%
International
10.7%

Most out-of-state first-years from: MA 90 · NY 57 · CA 29 · CT 23 · NH 21

Race & ethnicity
White
60%
Hispanic
10%
Black
4%
Asian
7%
Two or more
8%
Non-resident
10%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Other Sports
    Men's · Women's
  • Rowing
    Men's · Women's
  • Skiing
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Squash
    Men's · Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$59,202
After 10 yrs
$69,498
Economics65
Political Science and Government54
Research and Experimental Psychology50
Natural Resources Conservation and Research49
Biology, General43
Mathematics29
Sociology28
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology26
English Language and Literature, General25
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics17
Neurobiology and Neurosciences17
Physics16
History16
Anthropology12
Fine and Studio Arts11
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies10
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$447M
Full-time faculty
95%
Faculty salary
$11,886/mo
Teaching spend
$27,338
per student
Federal loans
14%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Bates College is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search