In this article, we will compare two prestigious liberal arts colleges in the United States, Bates College and Middlebury College. We will explore various aspects of each school, such as costs & tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes. By examining these factors, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview that will help students make an informed decision when choosing between these two institutions.
Bates Overview
Bates College, located in Lewiston, Maine, is a private liberal arts college founded in 1855. With a total undergraduate enrollment of around 1,800 students, Bates offers a close-knit community and a student-faculty ratio of 10:1. The college is committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity, and its strong emphasis on community engagement encourages students to make a positive impact both on-campus and beyond.
Bates Costs & Tuition
The tuition and fees at Bates for the 2021-2022 academic year are approximately $57,353, with an additional estimated cost of $14,892 for room and board. Bates offers a need-blind admission process and seeks to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need. Approximately 42% of Bates students receive financial aid in the form of grants and scholarships, with the average financial aid package being $48,314.
Bates Admissions
Admission to Bates is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 12%. The middle 50% range of SAT scores for admitted students is 1330-1500, while the ACT range is 30-33. Bates also offers a test-optional policy, meaning that students may choose whether or not to submit their standardized test scores as part of their application.
Bates Degrees Offered
Bates offers over 35 majors and 25 minors across various disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Some popular majors at Bates include Economics, Psychology, Political Science, and Biology. Additionally, Bates offers a unique interdisciplinary program called “Purposeful Work,” which integrates academics, career exploration, and experiential learning to help students discover their passions and align their careers with their values.
Bates Academics
With a student-faculty ratio of 10:1, Bates offers small class sizes and personalized attention from its faculty members. The college has a four-year graduation rate of 89%, and approximately 70% of students complete a senior thesis or capstone project in their chosen field of study.
Bates Diversity
Bates is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity on its campus. Approximately 25% of the student body identifies as a person of color, and 8% are international students. The college offers various resources and support services for students, including the Office of Equity and Inclusion, which focuses on fostering an inclusive campus environment.
Bates Students
Bates has a vibrant student life, with over 100 student-run clubs and organizations catering to various interests, such as arts, culture, academics, athletics, and community service. The college also has a strong athletic program, with 31 varsity sports teams competing in the NCAA Division III.
Bates Campus
Bates’ 133-acre campus in Lewiston features a mix of historical and modern buildings, surrounded by natural beauty. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including the recently renovated Ladd Library and the Bates College Museum of Art.
Bates Alumni
Bates has a strong alumni network, with notable graduates including former U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, journalist Bryant Gumbel, and author Elizabeth Strout. The college’s alumni are known to be highly engaged and supportive, offering networking opportunities, internships, and mentorships for current students.
Bates Rankings
According to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Bates College is ranked #21 among National Liberal Arts Colleges. It has also been recognized for its strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, ranking #10 in this category.
Bates Outcomes
Based on data from recent graduates, 95% of Bates alumni are employed or pursuing graduate education within six months of graduation. The median starting salary for a Bates graduate is $53,400.
Middlebury College Overview
Middlebury College, located in Middlebury, Vermont, is a private liberal arts college founded in 1800. It is well-known for its focus on environmental sustainability and global engagement, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning and study abroad programs. With an enrollment of around 2,500 undergraduate students and a student-faculty ratio of 8:1, Middlebury offers a tight-knit community and personalized academic experience.
Middlebury Costs & Tuition
The tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year at Middlebury are approximately $58,316, with an additional estimated cost of $16,070 for room and board. Middlebury is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need, and approximately 41% of students receive financial aid. The average financial aid package is $50,549.
Middlebury Admissions
Admission to Middlebury is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 15%. The middle 50% range of SAT scores for admitted students is 1350-1520, while the ACT range is 31-34. Middlebury also offers a test-optional policy, allowing students to decide whether to submit their standardized test scores as part of their application.
Middlebury Degrees Offered
Middlebury offers over 45 majors and 60 minors in various disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Popular majors at Middlebury include International Studies, Economics, Environmental Studies, and Political Science. The college is also renowned for its language programs and its unique “Schools Abroad” initiative, which offers study abroad opportunities in 37 cities across 17 countries.
Middlebury Academics
With a student-faculty ratio of 8:1, Middlebury provides its students with an intimate academic setting and personalized attention from faculty members. The college has a four-year graduation rate of 90%, and approximately 50% of students complete a senior thesis or capstone project.
Middlebury Diversity
Middlebury is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusivity on its campus. Approximately 27% of the student body identifies as a person of color, and 11% are international students. The college offers various resources and support services for students, including the Anderson Freeman Resource Center, which focuses on fostering an inclusive campus community.
Middlebury Students
Middlebury has a vibrant student life, with over 200 student-run clubs and organizations catering to a wide range of interests, such as arts, culture, academics, athletics, and community service. The college also has a strong athletic program, with 31 varsity sports teams competing in the NCAA Division III.
Middlebury Campus
Middlebury’s picturesque 350-acre campus in Vermont features a mix of historical and modern buildings, with state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Mahaney Arts Center and the newly built Biomass Gasification Plant. The campus is surrounded by natural beauty, providing numerous outdoor recreational opportunities for students.
Middlebury Alumni
Notable Middlebury alumni include former U.S. Governor Howard Dean, journalist James Fallows, and actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The college’s alumni network is known for its strong support and engagement, offering networking opportunities, internships, and mentorships to current students.
Middlebury Rankings
According to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Middlebury College is ranked #9 among National Liberal Arts Colleges. It has also been recognized for its commitment to undergraduate teaching, ranking #12 in this category.
Middlebury Outcomes
Based on data from recent graduates, 94% of Middlebury alumni are employed or pursuing graduate education within six months of graduation. The median starting salary for a Middlebury graduate is $55,000.
Bates vs Middlebury Cost Comparison
Both Bates and Middlebury have comparable tuition and fees, with Bates at $57,353 and Middlebury at $58,316 for the 2021-2022 academic year. Room and board costs are slightly higher at Middlebury, at an estimated $16,070 compared to $14,892 at Bates. Both colleges are committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need, and similar proportions of students at both schools receive financial aid (42% at Bates and 41% at Middlebury). The average financial aid packages are also comparable, with Bates offering an average of $48,314 and Middlebury offering an average of $50,549.
Bates vs Middlebury Admissions Difficulty
Admissions at both Bates and Middlebury are highly competitive, with acceptance rates of 12% and 15%, respectively. The middle 50% SAT score ranges are similar, with Bates at 1330-1500 and Middlebury at 1350-1520. The ACT ranges are also comparable, with Bates at 30-33 and Middlebury at 31-34. Both colleges have test-optional policies, allowing students to decide whether to submit standardized test scores with their applications.
Bates vs Middlebury Academic Difficulty
Both Bates and Middlebury have rigorous academic programs and low student-faculty ratios, ensuring personalized attention and a challenging learning environment. The four-year graduation rates are similar, with Bates at 89% and Middlebury at 90%. Both schools require a significant proportion of students to complete a senior thesis or capstone project (70% at Bates and 50% at Middlebury).
Bates vs Middlebury Outcome Comparison
The post-graduation outcomes for Bates and Middlebury are comparable, with 95% of Bates alumni and 94% of Middlebury alumni employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. Median starting salaries are also similar, with Bates graduates earning $53,400 and Middlebury graduates earning $55,000.
