Bates vs. Bowdoin College

Bates College and Bowdoin College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Bates College
Bowdoin College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bowdoin College (7.1% admitted vs 13.3%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1480.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bowdoin College. Average net price is $22,228 vs $24,723 at Bates.
  • Graduation: Bates 92% vs Bowdoin College 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bates $75,700 vs Bowdoin College $75,000 (median).
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Key differences

Bates College Bowdoin College
Acceptance rate
Bowdoin College more selective
Bates13.3%
Bowdoin College7.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bowdoin College higher
Bates1420-1530
Bowdoin College1470-1550
Average net price
Bowdoin College $2,495 less
Bates$24,723
Bowdoin College$22,228
In-state tuition
Bates $1,242 less
Bates$66,590
Bowdoin College$67,832
Out-of-state tuition
Bates $1,242 less
Bates$66,590
Bowdoin College$67,832
Graduation rate
Bates +0 pts
Bates92%
Bowdoin College92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bates +$700
Bates$75,700
Bowdoin College$75,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bates 10,027
  • Bowdoin College 13,265
  • Admitted
  • Bates 1,336
  • Bowdoin College 946
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bates 13.3%
  • Bowdoin College 7.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bates 36.5%
  • Bowdoin College 53.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bates 1480
  • Bowdoin College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bates 32
  • Bowdoin College 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bates -
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bates -
  • Bowdoin College -
  • Admissions standards
  • Bates Exceptional
  • Bowdoin College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Bates Very High
  • Bowdoin College Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Bates 1420-1530
  • Bowdoin College 1470-1550
  • ACT range
  • Bates 31-34
  • Bowdoin College 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Bates Test optional
  • Bowdoin College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bates Jan 1, 2027
  • Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bates $66,590
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bates $66,590
  • Bowdoin College $67,832
  • Room & board
  • Bates $18,780
  • Bowdoin College $18,488
  • Average net price
  • Bates $24,723
  • Bowdoin College $22,228
  • Average grant aid
  • Bates $58,809
  • Bowdoin College $62,872
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bates 40%
  • Bowdoin College 55%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bates 92%
  • Bowdoin College 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bates $75,700
  • Bowdoin College $75,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bates 90%
  • Bowdoin College 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bates $14,450
  • Bowdoin College $18,833
  • Median loan payment
  • Bates $149
  • Bowdoin College $194
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bates 9:1
  • Bowdoin College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bates
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Bowdoin College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (17%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Location
  • Bates Lewiston, ME
  • Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME
  • Setting
  • Bates Small City
  • Bowdoin College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Bates 1,760
  • Bowdoin College 1,881
  • Type
  • Bates Private 4 Year
  • Bowdoin College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bates #41
  • Bowdoin College #25

Comparable Facts

Compare Bates College in Lewiston, ME with Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Bowdoin College is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,760 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bates College is located in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting); Bowdoin College is in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting).
  • Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bates College 9:1; Bowdoin College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 1.6% lower than at Bates College ($18,488 vs. $18,780).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Bowdoin College than at Bates College (about $1,242 more per year; $67,832 vs. $66,590).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bowdoin College than at Bates College (55% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 6.9% larger than aid received by Bates College students ($62,872 vs. $58,809).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Bowdoin College than at Bates (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bates and Bowdoin College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 53.6% at Bowdoin College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $4,383 lower median loan debt than Bowdoin College graduates ($14,450 vs. $18,833).
  • Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowdoin College graduates ($149 vs. $194).
  • More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowdoin College students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 87%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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