Bates College
#2 Best Biology Colleges in Maine- Graduation Rate
- 90% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $69,498 A
- Top 8% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $29,351 F
- 71% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 13% A+
- Rejects about 87 of every 100 applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 14.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.4 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Biology Colleges in Maine.
Every $1 spent returns $14.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,569,252.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 70% more than the national college median.
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A 90% graduation rate — 58% above the national average.
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Admits just 13% of applicants — one of the most selective institutions in the country.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.5%
- Top 44%
- Patents
- 9
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 2
- Downstream influence
Why Bates College Matters
Bates College is a private liberal arts college in Lewiston, ME and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by exceptional admissions selectivity and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 8% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,760
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Physical Sciences
Why students choose Bates College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Highly selective — admits about 13% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1420–1530. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $29,351 a year after grants and scholarships — 71% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $69,498 ten years after enrolling — 70% above the typical college, against $14,275 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 89% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.82 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 1,760 students and a remarkably low acceptance rate of 13%, Bates College is an excellent choice for those who thrive in a tight-knit academic community. This college appeals to students who are passionate about fields like Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, and English, among others. The high graduation rate of 90% speaks volumes about the support and resources available to students as they navigate their academic paths.
After graduation, Bates alumni see an impressive average earning of $69,498 within ten years, which highlights the value of a degree from this institution. While the college's Pell Grant rate is at 12%, it's essential to recognize that many students experience upward mobility, even if specific mobility data isn't available. This speaks to the strong foundation that Bates provides for students to build successful careers.
When it comes to the financial aspects, the net price after aid is approximately $29,351, which is manageable considering the median debt of $14,275. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are self-motivated and eager to engage with both their peers and faculty. The supportive environment at Bates encourages personal growth and academic achievement, making it a solid investment in one's future.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Bates College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bates College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Lewiston, Maine, Bates College sets a competitive bar: about 13% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,468. The graduation rate is roughly 90%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 13%
- Retention Rate
- 91%
- SAT Average
- 1468
- SAT Range
- 1420–1530
- ACT Range
- 31–34
- Full-Time Faculty
- 95%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,886
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.60
- First-Gen Students
- 15%
- Applicants
- 8,273
- Admitted
- 1,137
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Bates College is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 34% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school many admits weigh against other offers.
- Yield Rate
- 34%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 13%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 8%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Early Decision Admit Rate
- 33.5%
- vs 14.8% overall
Applying early pays off here. Of 949 Early Decision applicants, 318 were admitted — a 33.5% admit rate, roughly 2.3× the 14.8% rate for the overall pool. That binding round alone filled about 65% of the entering class (318 of 493 first-years). The catch: Early Decision is a commitment you make before you can compare aid offers.
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 21% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bates College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bates College is $66,590, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $29,351. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,397 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,275 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $66,590
- Out-of-State
- $66,590
- Avg Net Price
- $29,351
- Median Debt
- $14,275
- Pell Grant Rate
- 12%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 14%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $2,397
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,958
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,336
- Family Income $110K+
- $45,886
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Bates College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Bates College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bates College earn a median of $69,498, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $59,202
- 8 Years
- $69,879
- 10 Years
- $69,498
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.21x
- Earning > $25K
- 75%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (443)
- 90%
- 100% (443)
- 90%
- 100% (443)
- 90%
- 100% (443)
- 90%
How Bates Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Bates College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Bates College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $29,351/year ($117,404 total). Graduates earn $69,498 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,686,656 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,569,252 (14.4× your investment). The median debt is $14,275, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 90% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $117,404
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,686,656
- Net Return
- $1,569,252
- ROI Multiple
- 14.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $29,351
- Median Debt
- $14,275
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 90%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Bates College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bates College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.76%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 1.8% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 41.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $176,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.76%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 41.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 1.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $240,345
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Bates College produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 9 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.52%
- Top 44% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 9
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 2
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,996,559
- Investment Income
- $-64,965,220
Top Programs
The fields Bates College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Social Sciences 26% $82,387 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 22% $42,908 early-career
- Psychology 11% $29,935 early-career
- Physical Sciences 7%
- English & Literature 6% $36,562 early-career
- Mathematics & Statistics 5% $47,208 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
- Engineering 1%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Bates College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Bates College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Lewiston, Maine, Bates College sets a competitive bar: about 13% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,468. The graduation rate is roughly 90%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Bates College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Bates College is $66,590, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $29,351. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,397 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,275 in federal student loans.
Is Bates College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Bates College earn a median of $69,498, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Bates College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Bates College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.76%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 1.8% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 41.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $176,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Bates College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bates College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.82, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Bates College offer Early Decision, and does it improve admission chances?
Yes. Bates College offers a binding Early Decision plan, and it carries a real advantage: Early Decision applicants were admitted at 34%, about 2.3 times the overall 15% acceptance rate, and ED filled roughly 65% of the entering class. Because ED is binding, it makes sense only if Bates College is a clear first choice and you can commit before comparing aid offers (2025-26 Common Data Set).
Is Bates College really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 21% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Bates College (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Bates College?
About 34% of admitted students choose to enroll at Bates College — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Compare Bates College
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Bates College.
- Colorado CollegeColorado Springs, CO · Close peer87% grad $65,222 earn 18% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Carleton CollegeNorthfield, MN · Close peer90% grad $75,525 earn 20% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Hamilton CollegeClinton, NY · Close peer91% grad $78,411 earn 14% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Vassar CollegePoughkeepsie, NY · Close peer90% grad $71,366 earn 19% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Kenyon CollegeGambier, OH · Close peer84% grad $71,830 earn 31% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Rhode Island School of DesignProvidence, RI · Close peer89% grad $68,140 earn 19% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Bates College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Bates College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.82, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note