Bates vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson College is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bates College is located in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bates College 9:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Bates vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bates or Dickinson 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 Dickinson College ($24,723 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 8.9% lower than at Bates College ($17,100 vs. $18,780).
• Bates College is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $940 more per year; $66,590.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Bates than at Dickinson College (about $940 more per year; $66,590.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Bates College (96% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 32.2% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($58,809 vs. $44,479).

Bates vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bates College (1480) is 90 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Bates students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 1420/1530; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 31/34; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bates - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Bates (13.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Bates vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bates and Dickinson 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 Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Bates College earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,700 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $6,550 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($14,450 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($149 vs. $217).
• More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dickinson College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 89%)

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.