Bates College
Bates College offers a small, urban campus anchored by its Historic Quad. The college also maintains a large nature preserve and coastal center for field studies. Students are active in academics, with a required thesis for graduation. Bates is known for its strong athletic presence as part of the NESCAC conference, and it houses both an observatory and art museum on campus.
Financial Aid
The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. Bates College's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 10% of students receive Pell Grants; 15% take federal loans.
Average net price across income brackets is $18,202, roughly 71% lower than the published tuition.
Net Price by Family Income
Academic Year 2025| Income Bracket | Avg Net Price | 4-Year Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $30K | $4,263 | $17,052 |
| $30K – $48K | $6,296 | $25,184 |
| $48K – $75K | $8,602 | $34,408 |
| $75K – $110K | $22,744 | $90,976 |
| $110K+ | $49,109 | $196,436 |
| Sticker price (no aid) | $63,478 | $253,912 |
Programs at Bates College
8 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.
| Degree Program | DW Score | 1-yr Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics Compare across schools → |
69
|
$71,187/yr | Very High | 3.3x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology Compare across schools → |
45
|
$47,376/yr | High | 0.9x |
| Political Science Compare across schools → |
41
|
$41,055/yr | Very High | 1.7x |
| Sociology Compare across schools → |
37
|
$42,170/yr | High | 0.7x |
| Romance Languages Compare across schools → |
32
|
$40,395/yr | Very High | 0.6x |
| English Compare across schools → |
29
|
$40,233/yr | Very High | 1.4x |
| Natural Resources & Conservation Research Compare across schools → |
26
|
$38,437/yr | High | 1.2x |
| Biology Compare across schools → |
26
|
$30,613/yr | High | 0.2x |