Bates vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

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

Bates College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (1,760 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bates College is located in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting); Reed College is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Reed College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bates College 9:1; Reed College 9:1.

Bates vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bates or Reed? 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 Reed ($24,723 vs. $30,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Reed College are 6% lower than at Bates College ($17,660 vs. $18,780).
• Reed College is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bates (about $2,760 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Reed than at Bates College (about $2,760 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Reed College than at Bates College (58% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 6.1% larger than aid received by Reed College students ($58,809 vs. $55,445).

Bates vs. Reed Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bates College (1480) is 70 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Bates students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Reed (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 1420/1530; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 31/34; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bates - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027.
• Reed has a higher acceptance rate (24.6%) than Bates (13.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Bates vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bates and Reed? 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 Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Bates College earn a median of about $28,500 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,700 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $1,550 lower median loan debt than Reed graduates ($14,450 vs. $16,000).
• Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Reed graduates ($149 vs. $165).
• More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Reed 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.