Bates College — College Profile

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These figures are federal data and may be out of date.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

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · 2023-24

$0–30k

$2,397

$30–48k

$8,958

$48–75k

$11,336

$75–110k

$19,468

$110k+

$45,886

Your family's actual price → Bates College net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

90%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

82%

Back for yr 2

91%

Transferred

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

92% graduated · 6% transferred · 2% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

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 · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

13%

Test policy

Test optional

Checked Sep 2026

SAT average

1468

R 710–750 · M 710–780

SAT middle 50%: 1420–1530

40080012001600

Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry

Early Decision I

Nov 15 2026

binding in 44 days

If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.

Early Decision II

Jan 10 2027

binding in 100 days

A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.

Regular Decision

Jan 10 2027

in 100 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 for 2025-26 — 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

Race & ethnicity

White

60%

Hispanic

10%

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

10%

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25

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 · measured 2020 & 2021

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