Overview
Enrollment
Bates College, located in Lewiston, Maine's second-largest city, operates as a private liberal arts institution approximately 40 miles north of Portland. The 133-acre campus combines traditional New England brick architecture with modern academic facilities, centered around its historic quad dating back to the college's founding in 1855 as one of the first coeducational colleges in the nation. Bates maintains a competitive admissions process and operates on a distinctive 4-4-1 academic calendar, featuring two standard semesters plus a five-week spring term for focused study or research. The college is known for its environmental studies program, interdisciplinary neuroscience major, and strong emphasis on undergraduate research, with all students completing a senior thesis. Bates requires students to live on campus for all four years, offering traditional dormitories and themed houses, and competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Bobcats, with particularly strong programs in rowing and Nordic skiing.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Bates is rated within the top 10% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Bates College within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#43 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#43 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Colleges in Maine
#2 in Best Private Colleges in Maine
#39 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Value Colleges in Maine
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1420/1520 |
| ACT | 32/33 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very High |
| Application Fee | $60 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $900 |
| Other Fees | $0 |
| Room and Board | $17,224 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,250 |
| Total One Year Cost | $80,440 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 26% |
| Biology | 10% |
| Psychology | 9% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 9% |
| English and Literature | 8% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Bates College.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=160977 IPEDS survey data for Bates College.
Current students may use the Bates College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024