Bates vs. Union College

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

Bates College
Union College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bates (13.3% admitted vs 43.9%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bates. Average net price is $24,723 vs $42,137 at Union College.
  • Graduation: Bates 92% vs Union College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bates $75,700 vs Union College $74,200 (median).
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Key differences

Bates College Union College
Acceptance rate
Bates more selective
Bates13.3%
Union College43.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bates higher
Bates1420-1530
Union College1310-1480
Average net price
Bates $17,414 less
Bates$24,723
Union College$42,137
In-state tuition
Bates $2,449 less
Bates$66,590
Union College$69,039
Out-of-state tuition
Bates $2,449 less
Bates$66,590
Union College$69,039
Graduation rate
Bates +6 pts
Bates92%
Union College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bates +$1,500
Bates$75,700
Union College$74,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bates 10,027
  • Union College 8,210
  • Admitted
  • Bates 1,336
  • Union College 3,606
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bates 13.3%
  • Union College 43.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bates 36.5%
  • Union College 13.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bates 1480
  • Union College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bates 32
  • Union College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bates -
  • Union College 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bates -
  • Union College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bates Exceptional
  • Union College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Bates Very High
  • Union College Low
  • SAT range
  • Bates 1420-1530
  • Union College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • Bates 31-34
  • Union College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Bates Test optional
  • Union College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bates Jan 1, 2027
  • Union College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bates $66,590
  • Union College $69,039
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bates $66,590
  • Union College $69,039
  • Room & board
  • Bates $18,780
  • Union College $17,010
  • Average net price
  • Bates $24,723
  • Union College $42,137
  • Average grant aid
  • Bates $58,809
  • Union College $42,534
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bates 40%
  • Union College 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bates 92%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bates $75,700
  • Union College $74,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bates 90%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bates $14,450
  • Union College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Bates $149
  • Union College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bates 9:1
  • Union College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bates
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Union College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Bates Lewiston, ME
  • Union College Schenectady, NY
  • Setting
  • Bates Small City
  • Union College Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Bates 1,760
  • Union College 2,065
  • Type
  • Bates Private 4 Year
  • Union College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bates #41
  • Union College #84

Comparable Facts

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

Union College is larger than Bates based on total student enrollment (2,065 students vs. 1,760 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 9.4% lower than at Bates College ($17,010 vs. $18,780).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Union College than at Bates College (about $2,449 more per year; $69,039 vs. $66,590).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Bates College (96% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 38.3% larger than aid received by Union College students ($58,809 vs. $42,534).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Bates than at Union College (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bates and Union College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $12,550 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($14,450 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($149 vs. $279).
  • More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 86%).

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

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