Bates College
Bates College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bates College at a Glance
Bates College is a private liberal arts college in Lewiston, Maine, United States. Anchored by the Historic Quad, the campus of Bates totals 813 acres (329 ha) with a small urban campus. It maintains 600 acres (240 ha) of nature preserve known as the Bates–Morse Mountain Conservation Area near Campbell Island and a coastal center on Atkins Bay. With an annual enrollment of approximately 1,800 students, it is the smallest college in its athletic conference.
1855
171 years old
$485M
$485.3 million (2025)
1,760
200
133 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Bates College
Official admissions pageFebruary 1 (Early Decision II)
1 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Is Bates College Worth It?
Bates College offers moderate value at $29,351/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $69,498, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 90% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 13% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
How Bates College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #14 of 27 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bowdoin College | 100 | $14,398 | $82,735 |
| #2 | Colby College | 100 | $17,180 | $80,490 |
| #3 | The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art | 100 | $13,269 | $83,847 |
| #4 | Davidson College | 100 | $17,379 | $81,400 |
| #5 | Pomona College | 94 | $19,285 | $77,779 |
| #6 | Swarthmore College | 81 | $23,149 | $80,257 |
| #14 | Bates College | 53 | $29,351 | $69,498 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Bates College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in ME.
Best Programs at Bates College
The highest-earning program at Bates College is Economics at $61,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $29,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Bates College earns $61,900, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $29,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Economics graduates carry $12,850 in median debt vs. $10,851 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $29,351/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $61,900 | $61,900 | $12,850 |
| History | $45,300 | $45,300 | N/A |
| Political Science and Government | $36,900 | $36,900 | $12,700 |
| Psychology, General | $29,400 | $29,400 | $10,851 |
Similar Colleges in ME
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Lewiston, ME
- Student Body
- 1,760 students
- Admission Rate
- 13%
- Graduation Rate
- 90%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,351
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $69,498
- Median Student Debt
- $14,275