Bates College
Lewiston, ME · Small city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 13.3%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 8,937
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 1,164
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 505
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 43%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 13%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 13%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 710–750
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 710–780
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 31–34
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 14% / 8%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- considered
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- considered
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $83,532
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $66,590
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $66,590
- Median debt at graduation
- $14,275
- Students with federal loans
- 14%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 90%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 91%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $42,831
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $69,498
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 1,760
- Graduate students
- —
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 9 : 1
- Women
- 52%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 12%
- Full-time faculty
- 95%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Garry Jenkins
- Main phone
- (207) 786-6000
- Address
- 2 Andrews Road, Lewiston, ME 04240
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 15 | by December 20 |
| Early Decision II (binding) | January 10 | by February 15 |
| Regular Decision | January 10 | by April 1 |
- Apply with
- Common App, Coalition/Scoir, QuestBridge
- Application fee
- Free
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- No supplemental essay required; optional arts supplement
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 1 teacher (up to 2); 1 optional non-academic
Testing: SAT/ACT optional for all applicants; English proficiency test required for non-native speakers
Financial aid policies
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: None; entire financial aid budget goes to students with demonstrated need
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need regardless of citizenship
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 33.5% (318 of 949)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 2,103 / 795 / 39
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: bates.edu, bates.edu, bates.edu, bates.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.