About
About Bates College
Bates College is a private liberal arts college in Lewiston, ME, known for its test optional admissions, small maine campus, and strong social sciences. With an acceptance rate of 14%, Bates is highly selective, typically enrolling around 518 students each year. Bates is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1410–1490, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Students who apply Early Decision are admitted at 27%, meaningfully higher than the regular decision rate of 14%, making Early Decision a meaningful strategic consideration. Bates meets 100% of demonstrated financial need; the average net price for families earning under $30,000 is $2,397.
Admissions
Bates College acceptance rate and admitted student profile
highly selective
Application Strategy
Strategy tips for applying to Bates College
Financial Aid & Cost
What Bates College actually costs your family
Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.
| Family Income | Sticker Price | Avg. Net Cost / yr |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | ~$78k/yr | $2.4k |
| 30k-48k | ~$78k/yr | $9.0k |
| 48k-75k | ~$78k/yr | $11.3k |
| 75k-110k | ~$78k/yr | $19.5k |
| 110k+ | ~$78k/yr | $45.9k |
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Outcomes & Campus
Student outcomes and campus profile
Student Body
Student body composition
Race & Ethnicity