Bates College
#24 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
Overview
Bates College is a private institution that was founded in 1855. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,790 (fall 2022), and the campus size is 133 acres. It utilizes a 4-4-1-based academic calendar. Bates College's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #24. Its tuition and fees are $63,478.
Bates College—the first coeducational college in New England—is located in Lewiston, Maine, along the Androscoggin River. Its setting is favorable for outdoor enthusiasts; skiing, canoeing, beaches, Lake Auburn and natural parks are all nearby. Approximately 95 percent of students live on campus in either a residence hall or one of Bates’ 25 Victorian homes, which house between 10 and 30 students each. Among the more than 110 student organizations are the Outing Club, which sponsors outdoor and adventure trips throughout the year; the Brooks Quimby Debate Council; and WRBC, the Bates radio station. About one-third of Bates students participate in varsity athletics, and the Bates Bobcats are members of the NCAA Division III New England Small College Athletic Conference.
Bates offers bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in a number of subjects. The General Education requirement is intended to provide students with a well-rounded education, but students still choose a specialized field of study from more than 30 available majors. If none of those are appealing, students have the option to design their own interdisciplinary major. About two-thirds of students take advantage of study abroad programs, and Bates’ unique academic calendar incorporates a short five-week spring term during which students can focus on a single topic or partake in an off-campus program.
Bates College is a private institution that was founded in 1855. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,790 (fall 2022), and the campus size is 133 acres. It utilizes a 4-4-1-based academic calendar. Bates College's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #24. Its tuition and fees are $63,478.
Bates College—the first coeducational college in New England—is located in Lewiston, Maine, along the Androscoggin River. Its setting is favorable for outdoor enthusiasts; skiing, canoeing, beaches, Lake Auburn and natural parks are all nearby. Approximately 95 percent of students live on campus in either a residence hall or one of Bates’ 25 Victorian homes, which house between 10 and 30 students each. Among the more than 110 student organizations are the Outing Club, which sponsors outdoor and adventure trips throughout the year; the Brooks Quimby Debate Council; and WRBC, the Bates radio station. About one-third of Bates students participate in varsity athletics, and the Bates Bobcats are members of the NCAA Division III New England Small College Athletic Conference.
Bates offers bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in a number of subjects. The General Education requirement is intended to provide students with a well-rounded education, but students still choose a specialized field of study from more than 30 available majors. If none of those are appealing, students have the option to design their own interdisciplinary major. About two-thirds of students take advantage of study abroad programs, and Bates’ unique academic calendar incorporates a short five-week spring term during which students can focus on a single topic or partake in an off-campus program.
+ Show More
At-a-Glance
Setting
N/A
Tuition & Fees
$63,478
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,790
Acceptance Rate
14%
2024 Rankings
Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. Read more about how we rank schools.
My Fit Score
My Fit Custom College Ranking
Does this school fit your college needs? Receive a personalized ranking provided by U.S. News College Compass and find out. Try it now
Admissions
Cost
Tuition & Fees
$63,478
Room & Board
$17,904(2023-24)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$57,582
$26,560
$26,560
Tuition & Fees
$63,478
Room & Board
$17,904(2023-24)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$57,582
*Average cost after aid
Academics
88%
10:1
64%
Popular Majors
MAJOR
% OF GRADUATES
ALUMNI STARTING SALARY
Social Sciences
28%
N/A
Psychology
14%
N/A
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
13%
N/A
Physical Sciences
7%
N/A
Natural Resources and Conservation
7%
N/A
| |||
| |||
| |||
| |||
|
* In cases where salary data at the specific major level is unavailable, a general salary for the major category is displayed.
Pick the Perfect Major
Discover the perfect major for you based on your innate wiring. The Innate Assessment sets you up for success by pairing you with majors, colleges and careers that fit your unique skills and abilities.
Students
1,790
Graduate Enrollment
N/A
Total Enrollment
1,790
Full-Time Degree-Seeking Students
1,790
Student Diversity
Gender Distribution
Ethnic Diversity
28%
Minority Enrollment
28%
Minority Enrollment
62%
White
9%
Hispanic
9%
International
8%
Two or more races
6%
Asian
5%
Black
Not Specified is not included in this breakdown due to an enrollment of 0%.
Campus Life
Housing and Dorms
Types of campus housing available:
Student Activities
72+
Sports Teams
N/A
Fraternities
N/A
Sororities
After College
Graduation Rate
88%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
26%
Average Debt at Graduation
$28,397
$39,854
$39,854
Graduation Rate
88%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
26%
Average Debt at Graduation
$28,397
Schools You Might Also Like
Reviews & Ratings
See reviews and ratings of this school from students, alumni, staff and others. These reviews are not written by U.S. News and have no impact on any of the Best Colleges rankings. Read an explanation of user ratings.
Read More
Undergraduate data are based on the 2022 school year.
My Fit Score
My Fit Custom College Ranking
Does this school fit your college needs? Receive a personalized ranking provided by U.S. News College Compass and find out. Try it now
You can compare up to 25 schools at a time. Please remove a school before adding another.