Bates vs. Ithaca College

Comparable Facts

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

Ithaca College is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (4,767 students vs. 1,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bates College is located in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting); Ithaca College is in Ithaca, NY (Small Suburban setting).
• Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ithaca College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bates College 9:1; Ithaca College 10:1.

Bates vs. Ithaca College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bates or Ithaca 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 Ithaca College ($24,723 vs. $35,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ithaca College are 13.8% lower than at Bates College ($16,192 vs. $18,780).
• Bates College is 24.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ithaca College (about $13,050 more per year; $66,590.00 vs. $53,540.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.4% higher at Bates than at Ithaca College (about $13,050 more per year; $66,590.00 vs. $53,540.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ithaca College than at Bates College (100% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 75.8% larger than aid received by Ithaca College students ($58,809 vs. $33,450).

Bates vs. Ithaca College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bates College (1480) is 170 points higher than at Ithaca College (1310).
• Incoming Bates students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Ithaca College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 1420/1530; Ithaca College 1230/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 31/34; Ithaca College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bates - Test optional; Ithaca College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Ithaca College Feb 1, 2027.
• Ithaca College has a higher acceptance rate (69%) than Bates (13.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 12.3% at Ithaca College.

Bates vs. Ithaca College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bates and Ithaca 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 Ithaca College's (74%).
• Graduates from Bates College earn a median of about $19,600 more per year than Ithaca College 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 $11,300 lower median loan debt than Ithaca College graduates ($14,450 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ithaca College graduates ($149 vs. $266).
• More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ithaca College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 84%)

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.