Bates vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

Compare Bates College in Lewiston, ME with Denison University in Granville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Denison University is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (2,394 students vs. 1,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bates College is located in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bates College 9:1; Denison University 9:1.

Bates vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bates or Denison? 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 Denison ($24,723 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 12.7% lower than at Bates College ($16,400 vs. $18,780).
• Denison University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bates (about $410 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Denison than at Bates College (about $410 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at Bates College (94% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 54% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($58,809 vs. $38,179).

Bates vs. Denison Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bates or Denison? 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 Denison and Bates.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bates College (1480) is 70 points higher than at Denison (1410).
• Incoming Bates students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Denison).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 1420/1530; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 31/34; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bates - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Denison has a higher acceptance rate (17.4%) than Bates (13.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 23.8% at Denison.

Bates vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bates and Denison? 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 Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from Bates College earn a median of about $19,600 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,700 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $11,550 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($14,450 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($149 vs. $268).
• More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 83%)

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.