Bates College, established in 1855, is a top liberal arts college in Lewiston, Maine. Known for its academic rigor and winter Short Term, Bates encourages intellectual exploration. The college's 4-4-1 calendar includes immersive May courses. Bates' research spans from the Harward Center for Community Partnerships to the Coastal Center at Shortridge.
Bates' commitment to accessibility includes a no-loan financial aid policy. Alumni include Pulitzer winners and Olympic athletes. The college's emphasis on debate and civic engagement fosters active citizenship. Its welcoming community and Maine's outdoor beauty enrich student life.
Bates College Acceptance Rate
Bates College is one of the leading universities in the USA. It is extremely competitive to gain admission to. The acceptance rate of Bates College is 13.02%. This means that only 13 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Elite Standards: Admitted students typically rank in the top 2-5% of their high school class.
- Curriculum Rigor: AP, IB, or Honors courses are essential to validate academic readiness.
- Character & Impact: Beyond grades, leadership, research, and unique 'spikes' in extracurriculars drive decisions.
At this level of selectivity, meeting average GPA and test scores is considered the 'baseline.' Because Bates values intellectual curiosity, your supplemental essays and personal recommendations are critical in distinguishing your application from thousands of other high-achieving candidates.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem .
Bates College Admission Requirements
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Bates College (Bates) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2025 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Bates College Average SAT Score: 1446
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Bates College is 1446 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
This score makes it very Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do very well to score 1446 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1510 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Bates College allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1400, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Bates.Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal, most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 735 | 700 | 770 |
| SAT Reading | 720 | 700 | 740 |
| SAT Composite | 1446 | 1400 | 1510 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1400 then you are below most of the admitted students at Bates and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1510 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1450
Can I get into Bates College (Bates) with a 1500 SAT?
With a 1500 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Bates College (Bates) are good but the admission staff at Bates tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Bates College (Bates) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Bates is 32.
ACT Competitiveness
This score makes Bates College very Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do very well to score 32 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 33 | 32 | 33 |
| ACT English | |||
| ACT Composite | 32 | 31 | 33 |
Can I get into Bates College with a 33 ACT?
A 33 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Bates College — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Bates College use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Bates College — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Bates College uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 33 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 32.Bates Profile
Name: Bates College (Bates)
Accredited by: New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Elite Strategy: The 'Spike' Approach
To be successful at a world-class institution like Bates, you must move beyond being 'well-rounded' and demonstrate that you are institutionally necessary.
Elite schools favor 'pointy' students; those who are world-class in one niche. Achieve national-level recognition or produce original research rather than joining ten generic clubs.
Demonstrate 'self-driven learning.' This includes graduate-level coursework, mastering a complex skill independently, or attending top-tier summer programs (RSI/TASP).
Avoid safe, cliché topics. Use the supplemental essays to showcase creative risk-taking, quirky intellectualism, and authentic personality.
Admissions officers prioritize 'Founders' and 'Change-makers' over 'Office-holders.' Document quantifiable impact—what did you build that didn't exist before?
Can I Get Into Bates Without SAT Or ACT?: Bates College considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.
Is a Bates degree Worth It?
Getting into Bates can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Bates offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision. Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Bates is $77,800 and unemployment rate is 3.06%.
How much does a degree from Bates Cost?The average annual cost of the degree at Bates College is $80,440. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Bates College is much less than this.
10.22% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 15.03 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Bates and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Bates College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Bates as your choice in the form.
How much does a Bates Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is $69,498. An average Bates graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Bates College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara University, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Colorado School of Mines, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | Connecticut College, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| Trinity College | Trinity College, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| George Washington University | George Washington University, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| University of Florida | University of Florida, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| University of Miami | University of Miami, FL | 1416 | 32 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL | 1418 | 32 |
| Simpson College | Simpson College, IA | 1410 | 32 |
| Babson College | Babson College, MA | 1435 | 32 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Bates College. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado College | Colorado College, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, GA | 1447 | 31 |
| Tulane University of Louisiana | Tulane University of Louisiana, LA | 1443 | 32 |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Stevens Institute of Technology, NJ | 1447 | 33 |
| Davidson College | Davidson College, NC | 1448 | 33 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Bates College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont McKenna College, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Pomona College | Pomona College, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| Scripps College | Scripps College, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| University of Southern California | University of Southern California, CA | 1501 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Wesleyan University, CT | 1513 | 34 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Anthropology
- Area Studies
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Biology, General
- Chemistry
- Classical and Ancient Studies
- Dance
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Economics
Frequently Asked Questions About Bates College Admissions
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $69,498 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
Question: What is the tuition fee?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is quite high, approximately $80,440 or more per year, so it is important to consider additional funding options.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship ?
Answer: 10.2% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the institution's official financial aid page for details.
Question: What is the acceptance rate?
Answer: The acceptance rate of Bates College is 13.02% which is low, typically between 10% and 20%. Admission is very competitive, and a strong academic profile is necessary.
Question: How competitive is the SAT score requirement
Answer: Admission to Bates College is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1446 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1400-1510
Question: Is it possible to transfer from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting Admissions?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
Full list of All degree programs offered by Bates College.
Last Updated: Wednesday March 18, 2026
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in November 2025, US Department of Education's latest statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.