Bates vs. Smith College

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

Bates College
Smith College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bates (13.3% admitted vs 21%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1480.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bates. Average net price is $24,723 vs $27,305 at Smith College.
  • Graduation: Bates 92% vs Smith College 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bates $75,700 vs Smith College $48,900 (median).
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Key differences

Bates College Smith College
Acceptance rate
Bates more selective
Bates13.3%
Smith College21%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Smith College higher
Bates1420-1530
Smith College1420-1540
Average net price
Bates $2,582 less
Bates$24,723
Smith College$27,305
In-state tuition
Smith College $1,412 less
Bates$66,590
Smith College$65,178
Out-of-state tuition
Smith College $1,412 less
Bates$66,590
Smith College$65,178
Graduation rate
Bates +7 pts
Bates92%
Smith College85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bates +$26,800
Bates$75,700
Smith College$48,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bates 10,027
  • Smith College 8,666
  • Admitted
  • Bates 1,336
  • Smith College 1,820
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bates 13.3%
  • Smith College 21%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bates 36.5%
  • Smith College 35.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bates 1480
  • Smith College 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bates 32
  • Smith College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bates -
  • Smith College 4.0
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bates -
  • Smith College A/A+
  • Admissions standards
  • Bates Exceptional
  • Smith College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Bates Very High
  • Smith College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Bates 1420-1530
  • Smith College 1420-1540
  • ACT range
  • Bates 31-34
  • Smith College 32-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Bates Test optional
  • Smith College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bates Jan 1, 2027
  • Smith College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bates $66,590
  • Smith College $65,178
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bates $66,590
  • Smith College $65,178
  • Room & board
  • Bates $18,780
  • Smith College $22,570
  • Average net price
  • Bates $24,723
  • Smith College $27,305
  • Average grant aid
  • Bates $58,809
  • Smith College $58,725
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bates 40%
  • Smith College 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bates 92%
  • Smith College 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bates $75,700
  • Smith College $48,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bates 90%
  • Smith College 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bates $14,450
  • Smith College $19,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Bates $149
  • Smith College $196
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bates 9:1
  • Smith College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bates
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Smith College
    • Social Sciences (22%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Bates Lewiston, ME
  • Smith College Northampton, MA
  • Setting
  • Bates Small City
  • Smith College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Bates 1,760
  • Smith College 2,857
  • Type
  • Bates Private 4 Year
  • Smith College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bates #41
  • Smith College #68

Comparable Facts

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

Smith College is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (2,857 students vs. 1,760 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bates College is located in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting); Smith College is in Northampton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Smith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bates College 9:1; Smith College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bates College are 16.8% lower than at Smith College ($18,780 vs. $22,570).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Bates than at Smith College (about $1,412 more per year; $66,590 vs. $65,178).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Smith College than at Bates College (67% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Smith College students ($58,809 vs. $58,725).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Smith College than at Bates (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bates and Smith College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Smith College Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 35.4% at Smith College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $4,550 lower median loan debt than Smith College graduates ($14,450 vs. $19,000).
  • Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith College graduates ($149 vs. $196).
  • More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith College students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 80%).

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

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