Bates vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

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

Bates College is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (1,760 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bates vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bates or Whitman 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 Whitman College ($24,723 vs. $37,633).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 19.7% lower than at Bates College ($15,080 vs. $18,780).
• Bates College is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whitman College (about $2,540 more per year; $66,590.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Bates than at Whitman College (about $2,540 more per year; $66,590.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Bates College (94% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 45.2% larger than aid received by Whitman College students ($58,809 vs. $40,489).

Bates vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bates College (1480) is 80 points higher than at Whitman College (1400).
• Incoming Bates students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Whitman College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 1420/1530; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 31/34; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bates - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Whitman College has a higher acceptance rate (38.1%) than Bates (13.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Bates vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bates and Whitman 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 Whitman College's (86%).
• Graduates from Bates College earn a median of about $18,800 more per year than Whitman College graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,700 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $3,050 lower median loan debt than Whitman College graduates ($14,450 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whitman College graduates ($149 vs. $180).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bates students, three years after graduation. (93% vs. 90%)

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.