Non-Profit Private
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Lewiston, Maine
13% Acceptance Rate
Bates College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
13%Acceptance Rate
1446Avg SAT
32Avg ACT
$80,440Annual Cost
$69,498Grad Salary
10.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
13%
Avg SAT
1446
Avg ACT
32
Selectivity
Extremely Competitive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1400–1510
ACT Middle 50%
31–33
Need-Based Aid
10.2% receive Pell
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 accepted just 13% of applicants last cycle — roughly 13 out of every 100 who applied — placing it among the most selective schools among colleges in Maine.
What Bates Admissions Looks For
- A Defined Strength: Leadership, original research, or a national-level achievement carries more weight than a long activity list.
- Essay Distinctiveness: Reviewers read thousands of similar transcripts; the essays are where genuinely different applicants stand out.
- Class Rank: Admitted students typically finish in the top 2–5% of their graduating class.
Selectivity at a Glance
Extremely Competitive
Selectivity scale: Extremely Competitive — 13% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
At this tier, meeting the average GPA and test scores is the baseline, not the differentiator — your essays and recommendations are what separate you from the rest of an already-strong pool.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Bates College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Bates College is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 20.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 111 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 15
Decision by: December 20
Early Decision II
January 10
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
January 10
Decision by: April 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Bates
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Bates College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Bates College (Bates) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Bates is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Bates Without SAT or ACT?
Bates considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Bates College Average SAT Score: 1446
The average SAT score of admitted students at Bates College is 1446 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1446 — Very Competitive
A 1446 average puts Bates well above the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1510 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Bates College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1400, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Bates. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's 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 |
Below 1400, you're behind most admitted students; at 1510 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1450
Can I get into Bates College (Bates) with a 1500 SAT?
A 1500 SAT puts you ahead of most of Bates's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Bates College (Bates) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Bates is 32.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 32 — Very Competitive
An average of 32 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 33 | 32 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 32 | 31 | 33 |
Can I get into Bates College with a 33 ACT?
A 33 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Bates's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Bates.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Bates
Elite Strategy: The 'Spike' Approach
To succeed at a world-class institution like Bates, move beyond 'well-rounded' and show you're institutionally necessary — a specific, undeniable strength rather than a broad set of decent ones.
Win the Demonstrated Interest Game
Bates is unusual among highly selective liberal arts colleges because demonstrated interest remains an important factor. Attend virtual sessions, engage with admissions representatives, and ensure your application reflects a clear understanding of Bates rather than relying solely on strong grades and test scores.
Let the Main Essay Do Double Duty
Bates currently has no supplemental essay requirement. That means your Common App personal statement carries more weight than at many peer institutions. Use it to reveal intellectual character, values, and community impact instead of telling a generic achievement story.
Use Optional Portfolios Strategically
If you have serious accomplishments in visual arts, music, theater, dance, film, or creative writing, consider submitting a portfolio. Faculty review these materials, so a strong submission can provide meaningful differentiation in a highly selective pool.
Demonstrate Contribution, Not Prestige Chasing
Bates values community engagement and authentic participation. Present sustained commitments and tangible impact rather than a resume built around collecting titles, awards, and short-term activities.
Expert Insight: Many applicants assume the absence of supplemental essays means Bates is easier to personalize. In reality, students who fail to demonstrate genuine interest often underperform relative to similarly qualified applicants.
Bates Profile
Full Name
Bates College (Bates)
City
Lewiston
State
Maine
ZIP Code
4240
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a Bates Degree Worth It?
Bates offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $77,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.06%.
How much does a degree from Bates Cost?
The sticker price is $80,440/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
10.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 15% take federal loans at Bates — file your FAFSA early and list Bates as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Bates Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $69,498 — about 71% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
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, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 1418 | 32 |
| Simpson College | Indianola, IA | 1410 | 32 |
| Babson College | Wellesley, 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 is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
| Tulane University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | 1443 | 32 |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken, NJ | 1447 | 33 |
| Davidson College | Davidson, 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, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 1501 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | 1513 | 34 |
Degree Programs at Bates
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Bates Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Bates College run about $69,498 a year.
At about $80,440 a year, Bates College's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Bates College's Pell Grant rate of 10.2% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
Bates College admits 13% of applicants, placing it firmly in the highly competitive range.
A strong SAT score matters at Bates College — aim above 1446, ideally within the 1400–1510 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Bates College is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 20.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.