Bates College

Lewiston, ME
www.bates.edu/ 2 Andrews Road, Lewiston, Maine, 04240

Bates College Acceptance Rate

Acceptance Rate 17%
Acceptance Deadline 1/1

Bates College, located in Lewiston, Maine, is recognized as one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the country. With its focus on comprehensive learning, the Bates College acceptance rate reflects its selectivity and commitment to high academic standards. Presently, the Bates College ranking is #21 in National Liberal Arts Colleges, according to U.S. News & World Report. This reflects the school’s competitive standing among higher education institutions.

The Bates College acceptance rate is a key factor for students to consider while planning for the admissions process. By understanding the Bates College acceptance rate, students can craft a balanced college list. So, to construct a robust application strategy, students should keep the Bates acceptance rate in mind.

While the Bates College acceptance rate is low, this shouldn’t dissuade students from applying. With careful preparation, even the more selective colleges become attainable despite their low college acceptance rates. Understanding the Bates College acceptance rate and what it implies for potential applicants is important when understanding how to get into Bates. Although the Bates acceptance rate may seem intimidating at first, CollegeAdvisor can help students find colleges that meet their needs, both in the Northeast and beyond.

What is the acceptance rate for Bates College?

The acceptance rate for Bates College was 17% for the class of 2026. During the last admissions cycle, over 8,000 students applied to Bates, with around 970 receiving offers of admission. This places Bates College as a quite selective school among liberal arts institutions. Understanding the Bates College acceptance rate is crucial in deciding whether Bates belongs on a student’s college list.

The relatively low Bates acceptance rate results from the college’s lauded reputation and strong academic offerings. Bates College offers a comprehensive liberal arts education, with an array of majors across all disciplines. This program, coupled with the school’s smaller class sizes, contributes to the lower Bates College acceptance rate.

Despite the competitive Bates acceptance rate, students are drawn to Bates for its academic rigor and faculty. While the Bates College acceptance rate is low, it should not dissuade students from applying. 

Is Bates College hard to get into?

As a highly regarded liberal arts institution, Bates College is indeed considered hard to get into. When examining the acceptance rate for Bates College, which is 17%, it’s clear that the college has a highly selective admissions process. Among liberal arts colleges, Bates has one of the lower acceptance rates nationwide. 

Bates College uses a holistic review process. The Bates College admissions team evaluates applicants not only based on their academic achievements, but also on their extracurricular activities, leadership qualities, and personal essays. This approach ensures that Bates accepts well-rounded individuals who will contribute positively to the campus community. Therefore, the difficulty of Bates College admissions extends beyond mere numbers and statistics.

Furthermore, college acceptance rates generally serve as a measure of a school’s selectivity and prestige. Schools with lower acceptance rates, like Bates, are often seen as more prestigious, which can make them harder to get into. College acceptance rates also influence the strategies prospective students adopt while preparing their applications, adding another layer of complexity to the admissions process.

Due to its low acceptance rate, competitive Bates College ranking, comprehensive review process, and high academic standards, Bates College admissions can be challenging. To prepare for the Bates College admissions process, students should understand the Bates acceptance rate and strive to craft the most compelling applications possible.

How does Bates College rank?

Bates College consistently ranks highly among national liberal arts colleges. In fact, the school comes in at #21 in the 2022-2023 U.S. News & World Report rankings. The Bates College ranking reflects its academic rigor and holistic educational approach. 

Additionally, for those wondering how to get into Bates, understanding the Bates College application deadline is critical. Adhering to the Bates College application deadline ensures your application is considered. The Bates College application deadline usually falls in early January for Regular Decision and in early November for Early Decision. Knowing the Bates College ranking and respecting the Bates College application deadline are key steps towards a successful application. 

For information about applying to college, choosing a major, or post-high school planning, contact one of our advisors here

Bates College Tuition

Average Cost* $26,392
Average Total Aid Awarded $54,033
Students Receiving Financial Aid 38.93%
*Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.

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Bates College Classes

Student Faculty Ratio 10:1

Bates College Online

Offers Online Courses Yes

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Bates College Enrollment

Full-Time Undergrad Enrollment 1,821

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