Bates vs. Carleton College

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

Bates College
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bates (13.3% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bates. Average net price is $24,723 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Bates 92% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bates $75,700 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

Bates College Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Bates more selective
Bates13.3%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Bates1420-1530
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
Bates $3,324 less
Bates$24,723
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Bates $2,302 less
Bates$66,590
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Bates $2,302 less
Bates$66,590
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Carleton College +1 pts
Bates92%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bates +$10,100
Bates$75,700
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bates 10,027
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Bates 1,336
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bates 13.3%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bates 36.5%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bates 1480
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bates 32
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bates -
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bates -
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Bates Exceptional
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Bates Very High
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Bates 1420-1530
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Bates 31-34
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Bates Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bates Jan 1, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bates $66,590
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bates $66,590
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Bates $18,780
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Bates $24,723
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Bates $58,809
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bates 40%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bates 92%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bates $75,700
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bates 90%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bates $14,450
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Bates $149
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bates 9:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bates
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Bates Lewiston, ME
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Bates Small City
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Bates 1,760
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Bates Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bates #41
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

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

Carleton College is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,760 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bates College is located in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bates College 9:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 6.4% lower than at Bates College ($17,586 vs. $18,780).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Carleton College than at Bates College (about $2,302 more per year; $68,892 vs. $66,590).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Bates College (59% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 3.5% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($58,809 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Carleton College than at Bates (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bates and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $5,050 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($14,450 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($149 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bates students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 90%).

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

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