Bates vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 1,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bates vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bates or Oberlin? 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 Oberlin ($24,723 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bates College are 3.7% lower than at Oberlin College ($18,780 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bates (about $776 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Oberlin than at Bates College (about $776 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Bates College (99% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 64.4% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($58,809 vs. $35,780).

Bates vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bates College (1480) is 40 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming Bates students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Oberlin (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 1420/1530; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 31/34; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bates - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Bates (13.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Bates vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bates and Oberlin? 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 Oberlin College's (88%).
• Graduates from Bates College earn a median of about $31,800 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,700 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $12,129 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($14,450 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($149 vs. $274).
• More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 82%)

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.