Bates vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

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

Williams College is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 1,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bates College is located in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bates College 9:1; Williams College 6:1.

Bates vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bates or Williams? 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 Williams College than Bates ($15,894 vs. $24,723).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 8.1% lower than at Bates College ($17,260 vs. $18,780).
• Williams College is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bates (about $1,970 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Williams than at Bates College (about $1,970 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $66,590.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Williams College than at Bates College (54% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 17.3% larger than aid received by Bates College students ($68,966 vs. $58,809).

Bates vs. Williams Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 50 points higher than at Bates (1480).
• Incoming Williams students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Bates).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 1420/1530; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bates College 31/34; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bates - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Bates has a higher acceptance rate (13.3%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 43% at Williams.

Bates vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bates and Williams? 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).

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Bates College's (92%).
• Graduates from Bates College earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,700 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $132 lower median loan debt than Williams graduates ($14,450 vs. $14,582).
• Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Williams graduates ($149 vs. $150).
• More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 83%)

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.