Bates vs. Colby College

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 1,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bates vs. Colby College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bates or Colby 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 Colby College than Bates ($16,219 vs. $24,723).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 4.7% lower than at Bates College ($17,890 vs. $18,780).
• Colby College is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bates (about $3,010 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Colby College than at Bates College (about $3,010 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colby College than at Bates College (45% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 17.7% larger than aid received by Bates College students ($69,201 vs. $58,809).

Bates vs. Colby College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bates or Colby 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 Colby College and Bates.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 30 points higher than at Bates (1480).
• Incoming Colby 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; Colby College 1460/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 31/34; Colby College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bates - Test optional; Colby College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Colby College Jan 1, 2027.
• Bates has a higher acceptance rate (13.3%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 46.2% at Colby College.

Bates vs. Colby College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bates and Colby 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).

• Bates College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Colby College's (91%).
• Graduates from Bates College earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,700 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $4,895 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($14,450 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($149 vs. $200).
• More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 88%)

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.