Bates vs. Whitman College

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

Bates College
Whitman College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bates (13.3% admitted vs 38.1%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bates. Average net price is $24,723 vs $37,633 at Whitman College.
  • Graduation: Bates 92% vs Whitman College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bates $75,700 vs Whitman College $56,900 (median).
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Key differences

Bates College Whitman College
Acceptance rate
Bates more selective
Bates13.3%
Whitman College38.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bates higher
Bates1420-1530
Whitman College1310-1480
Average net price
Bates $12,910 less
Bates$24,723
Whitman College$37,633
In-state tuition
Whitman College $2,540 less
Bates$66,590
Whitman College$64,050
Out-of-state tuition
Whitman College $2,540 less
Bates$66,590
Whitman College$64,050
Graduation rate
Bates +6 pts
Bates92%
Whitman College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bates +$18,800
Bates$75,700
Whitman College$56,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bates 10,027
  • Whitman College 7,243
  • Admitted
  • Bates 1,336
  • Whitman College 2,763
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bates 13.3%
  • Whitman College 38.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bates 36.5%
  • Whitman College 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bates 1480
  • Whitman College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bates 32
  • Whitman College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bates -
  • Whitman College 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bates -
  • Whitman College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bates Exceptional
  • Whitman College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Bates Very High
  • Whitman College High
  • SAT range
  • Bates 1420-1530
  • Whitman College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • Bates 31-34
  • Whitman College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Bates Test optional
  • Whitman College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bates Jan 1, 2027
  • Whitman College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bates $66,590
  • Whitman College $64,050
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bates $66,590
  • Whitman College $64,050
  • Room & board
  • Bates $18,780
  • Whitman College $15,080
  • Average net price
  • Bates $24,723
  • Whitman College $37,633
  • Average grant aid
  • Bates $58,809
  • Whitman College $40,489
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bates 40%
  • Whitman College 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bates 92%
  • Whitman College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bates $75,700
  • Whitman College $56,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bates 90%
  • Whitman College 93%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bates $14,450
  • Whitman College $17,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Bates $149
  • Whitman College $180
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bates 9:1
  • Whitman College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bates
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Whitman College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Physical Sciences (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Bates Lewiston, ME
  • Whitman College Walla Walla, WA
  • Setting
  • Bates Small City
  • Whitman College Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Bates 1,760
  • Whitman College 1,561
  • Type
  • Bates Private 4 Year
  • Whitman College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bates #41
  • Whitman College #88

Comparable Facts

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

Bates College is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (1,760 students vs. 1,561 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bates College is located in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
  • Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bates College 9:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 19.7% lower than at Bates College ($15,080 vs. $18,780).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Bates than at Whitman College (about $2,540 more per year; $66,590 vs. $64,050).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Bates College (94% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 45.2% larger than aid received by Whitman College students ($58,809 vs. $40,489).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Bates than at Whitman College (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bates and Whitman College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bates Jan 1, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Bates vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $3,050 lower median loan debt than Whitman College graduates ($14,450 vs. $17,500).
  • Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whitman College graduates ($149 vs. $180).
  • More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bates students, three years after graduation (93% 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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