Bates vs. Colby College

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

Bates College
Colby College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colby College (7.1% admitted vs 13.3%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1480.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colby College. Average net price is $16,219 vs $24,723 at Bates.
  • Graduation: Bates 92% vs Colby College 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bates $75,700 vs Colby College $73,400 (median).
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Key differences

Bates College Colby College
Acceptance rate
Colby College more selective
Bates13.3%
Colby College7.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colby College higher
Bates1420-1530
Colby College1460-1550
Average net price
Colby College $8,504 less
Bates$24,723
Colby College$16,219
In-state tuition
Bates $3,010 less
Bates$66,590
Colby College$69,600
Out-of-state tuition
Bates $3,010 less
Bates$66,590
Colby College$69,600
Graduation rate
Bates +1 pts
Bates92%
Colby College91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bates +$2,300
Bates$75,700
Colby College$73,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bates 10,027
  • Colby College 19,187
  • Admitted
  • Bates 1,336
  • Colby College 1,360
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bates 13.3%
  • Colby College 7.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bates 36.5%
  • Colby College 46.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bates 1480
  • Colby College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bates 32
  • Colby College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bates -
  • Colby College 3.86
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bates -
  • Colby College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Bates Exceptional
  • Colby College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Bates Very High
  • Colby College Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Bates 1420-1530
  • Colby College 1460-1550
  • ACT range
  • Bates 31-34
  • Colby College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Bates Test optional
  • Colby College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bates Jan 1, 2027
  • Colby College Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bates $66,590
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bates $66,590
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Room & board
  • Bates $18,780
  • Colby College $17,890
  • Average net price
  • Bates $24,723
  • Colby College $16,219
  • Average grant aid
  • Bates $58,809
  • Colby College $69,201
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bates 40%
  • Colby College 45%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bates 92%
  • Colby College 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bates $75,700
  • Colby College $73,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bates 90%
  • Colby College 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bates $14,450
  • Colby College $19,345
  • Median loan payment
  • Bates $149
  • Colby College $200
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bates 9:1
  • Colby College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bates
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Colby College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • Bates Lewiston, ME
  • Colby College Waterville, ME
  • Setting
  • Bates Small City
  • Colby College Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Bates 1,760
  • Colby College 2,412
  • Type
  • Bates Private 4 Year
  • Colby College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bates #41
  • Colby College #39

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 1,760 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 4.7% lower than at Bates College ($17,890 vs. $18,780).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Colby College than at Bates College (about $3,010 more per year; $69,600 vs. $66,590).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colby College than at Bates College (45% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 17.7% larger than aid received by Bates College students ($69,201 vs. $58,809).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Colby College than at Bates (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bates and Colby College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Colby College Jan 1, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 46.2% at Colby College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $4,895 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($14,450 vs. $19,345).
  • Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($149 vs. $200).
  • More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby College students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 88%).

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

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