At a Glance
Bates College is a small private nonprofit college in Lewiston, ME. Approximately 1,760 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 13% acceptance rate. Thompson Lake is about 13 miles from campus. The nearest beach is about 21 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 5 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 30/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Location
Lewiston, ME
Campus Identity
Bates College is a small private nonprofit college in Lewiston, ME. Approximately 1,760 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 13% acceptance rate. Thompson Lake is about 13 miles from campus. The nearest beach is about 21 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 5 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 30/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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Campus Lifestyle
Bates College is a 1,000–4,999, urban school with NCAA D3 athletics. The campus is 21 miles from Thomas Point Beach, ME and 5 miles from Lost Valley Ski Area.
Athletics
NCAA D3
New England Small College Athletic
School Size & Setting
1,000–4,999
Urban setting
Beach Access
21 miles
Thomas Point Beach, ME
Weather
Cold Climate
39°F avg school-year
Ski Town
Bates College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Lost Valley Ski Area, 5 miles away with 4 lifts and 45 skiable acres. All are within 31 miles of campus.
Maine
Maine
Nearest Beach
Students at Bates College are 21 miles from Thomas Point Beach, ME.
Thomas Point Beach, ME
Ocean access within 21.3 miles
Nearby Lake
Thompson Lake is 13 miles from campus, giving Bates College students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.
Thompson Lake
Lake access within 13.0 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Lewiston, ME
Lewiston has a cool climate, with winters averaging 20°F in Jan and summers peaking around 71°F in Jul.
Station: LEWISTON · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Bates College in ME earns a composite safety score of 30/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $66,590 |
| Room & Board | $18,780 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $85,370 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
32 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bates College located?
Bates College is located in Lewiston, ME. The main campus address is 2 Andrews Road, Lewiston, ME. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Bates College?
Bates College has an acceptance rate of 13%, making it highly selective. Out of 10,027 applicants, 1,336 were admitted in the most recent year.
How many students attend Bates College?
Bates College enrolls 1,760 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What ACT score do you need for Bates College?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Bates College scored between 31 and 34 on the ACT, with a median of 33. About 4% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Bates College?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Bates College charges $66,590/year in tuition. Including room and board ($18,780/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $59,062/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $29,351/year — what students actually pay. Use Bates College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for Bates College?
The undergraduate application fee at Bates College is $65. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
What NCAA division is Bates College in?
Bates College competes in NCAA Division III, part of the New England Small College Athletic. Division III programs compete without athletic scholarships and emphasize academics alongside varsity sport.
Is Bates College the right fit for me?
Whether Bates College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (13% admit rate), avg net price ($29,351/year after aid), campus culture in Lewiston, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Bates College against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Bates College directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Lewiston, ME
- Size
- 1,000–4,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's
- NCAA
- NCAA D3
- Conference
- New England Small College Athletic
- School Year Weather
- Cold · 39°F avg
- App Fee
- $65
- On Campus Safety Score
- 30/100
- Nearest Airport
- Brunswick, ME (NHZ) · 20 mialso AUG (25 mi), PWM (32 mi)