Wheaton College vs. Bates

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 1,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wheaton College vs. Bates Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College or Bates? 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 Wheaton College ($24,723 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 30.7% lower than at Bates College ($13,010 vs. $18,780).
• Bates College is 46.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $21,044 more per year; $66,590.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.2% higher at Bates than at Wheaton College (about $21,044 more per year; $66,590.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Bates College (98% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 110.1% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($58,809 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. Bates Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bates College (1480) is 110 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
• Incoming Bates students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Bates College 1420/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Bates College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Bates - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; Bates Jan 1, 2027.
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Bates (13.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 36.5% at Bates.

Wheaton College vs. Bates Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College and Bates? 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 Wheaton College's (87%).
• Graduates from Bates College earn a median of about $21,400 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,700 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $8,050 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College graduates ($14,450 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College graduates ($149 vs. $232).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bates students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.