Bates College is a private nonprofit university with an undergraduate enrollment of 1,760 students and a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The acceptance rate is 13.3%, with a 6-year graduation rate of 90.1%. The cost of attendance is $87,520, and the college competes in NCAA Division III with football.
Bates College is a highly selective private institution with a 13.3% acceptance rate and 1,760 undergraduates. The college maintains a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and reports a 90.1% six-year graduation rate.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 4,253 | 542 | 12.7% | 261 |
| Women | 4,684 | 622 | 13.3% | 244 |
Bates College admits 13.3% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Bates College has a cost of attendance of $87,520 annually. With an endowment of $446.8 million and 11.5% Pell grant recipients, the college supports students from diverse economic backgrounds.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $151.
After aid, Bates College costs $29,351 a year — about 30% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Bates College has a 6-year graduation rate of 90.1%. Median earnings are $59,202 six years after enrollment and $69,498 ten years after enrollment.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 62 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology, Other | 46 |
| Political Science and Government, General | 43 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 37 |
| Environmental Studies | 37 |
| Neuroscience | 28 |
| Biochemistry | 27 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 19 |
| Mathematics, General | 19 |
| Sociology, General | 18 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Bates College are $69,879, and 75% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Bates College students earn $59,202 — 30% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Bates College is a small private nonprofit institution with 1,760 undergraduates and a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The college competes in NCAA Division III athletics, including football, with an athletic revenue of approximately $5.1 million.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
700 of 1,753 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
0 of 1,753 undergraduates study entirely at a distance.
Bates College is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
Bates College spends $15,807 per student on research — about 3× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Bates College is in Lewiston, ME, in what IPEDS classifies as a small city setting. The campus sits about 1.9 miles from the center of Lewiston. There are 4 other colleges within 25 miles, and Lewiston, ME is 1.9 miles away.
Androscoggin County scores 7.1 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — below average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 8.2% of Lewiston's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Bates College reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Bates College reported 73 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Bates College admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Bates College has an acceptance rate of 13.3%, making it a highly selective institution. This means admission is competitive, and applicants should have strong academic credentials and meaningful extracurricular involvement to be competitive for admission.
The total cost of attendance at Bates College is $87,520 per year, which includes tuition, fees, room, and board. However, most students receive financial aid that reduces this amount significantly based on demonstrated financial need.
Yes, Bates is committed to meeting demonstrated financial need. The college has a substantial endowment of $446.8 million that supports robust financial aid. Currently, 11.5% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating significant aid for low-income students.
Bates has a 6-year graduation rate of 90.1%. For Pell Grant recipients specifically, the graduation rate is 95.7%, and for non-Pell students it is 94.4%, showing strong completion rates across all student populations.
Bates graduates earn a median of $59,202 six years after enrollment and $69,498 ten years after enrollment. These earnings reflect the career success and earning potential of Bates alumni across various fields.
Bates College has an undergraduate enrollment of 1,760 students, making it an intimate liberal arts college. The student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1, ensuring personalized attention and close relationships with professors.
Bates welcomes students from diverse backgrounds. The student body is 51.8% women, and 15.1% are first-generation college students. Additionally, 11.5% of students are Pell Grant recipients, indicating representation from lower-income families.
Bates is a NCAA Division III school with a football program and comprehensive athletic offerings. The college invests significantly in athletics with $5.1 million in athletic revenue, supporting competitive varsity and club sports across multiple disciplines.
Bates combines a highly selective admissions process (13.3% acceptance rate) with a strong commitment to affordability and access. The college's $446.8 million endowment enables need-based aid, and its close-knit community of 1,760 students fosters deep faculty-student relationships.
Yes, Bates actively supports first-generation students, who make up 15.1% of the student body. With strong financial aid backed by a substantial endowment and a 9:1 faculty ratio, Bates provides the resources and mentorship first-gen students need to succeed.