Bates vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bates College in Lewiston, ME with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carleton College is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bates College is located in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bates College 9:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Bates vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bates or Carleton College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bates College than Carleton College ($24,723 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 6.4% lower than at Bates College ($17,586 vs. $18,780).
• Carleton College is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bates (about $2,302 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Carleton College than at Bates College (about $2,302 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Bates College (59% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 3.5% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($58,809 vs. $56,846).

Bates vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bates or Carleton College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Carleton College and Bates.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 30 points higher than at Bates (1480).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Bates).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 1420/1530; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 31/34; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bates - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Bates (13.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Bates vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bates and Carleton College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Bates College's (92%).
• Graduates from Bates College earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,700 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $5,050 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($14,450 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($149 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bates students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 90%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.