Bates College

Bates offers 36 majors and 24 minors, with 28% of students in social sciences (especially economics), 20% in biology, and 10% in psychology. The curriculum emphasizes writing across disciplines, from first-year seminars to senior theses. Unlike peers, Bates has no core requirements—just a short winter term for focused study. Faculty engagement is legendary, with no graduate students teaching classes. The college’s Purposeful Work initiative integrates career preparation into the liberal arts, offering funding for internships and research. STEM thrives here too: 8% of students major in environmental science, supported by Maine’s natural labs.

Bates’ 1,272 undergraduates live in a 92% on-campus bubble where traditions trump Greek life (the college has never had frats). The vibe is outdoorsy but cerebral: students debate philosophy over lobster bakes and ski at Lost Valley between labs. With 100+ clubs, including a nationally ranked debate team and a student-run organic farm, there’s no shortage of niches. Lewiston’s post-industrial grit keeps things real—think indie bookstores and refugee-run restaurants. As one student newspaper put it, the community is 'grounded, open, and kind,' bonding over hockey games and the annual Puddle Jump into Lake Andrews.

Bates delivers: 91% graduate within six years (top 5% nationally), and 83% of the Class of 2024 landed jobs or grad school spots within six months. Median earnings hit $36,427 early-career, with 18% pursuing advanced degrees. The college’s Purposeful Work program funds 200+ internships annually, often at elite orgs like the CDC or Guggenheim. Alumni networks are potent in finance (State Street, JPMorgan), environmental science (The Nature Conservancy), and academia. Notably, Bates grads report higher life satisfaction than peers—a testament to its 'work with meaning' ethos.

At $92,530 sticker price, Bates isn’t cheap—but 44% of students receive need-based aid?Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements., with an average package of $64,249 slashing the net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $26,468. The college meets 100% of demonstrated need without loans, using grants and work-study. Unique perks: a $3,000 startup fund for first-gen?First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. students and subsidies for study abroad. About 12% qualify for Federal Pell Grants, reflecting Bates’ push to enroll more low-income students. The MyinTuition calculator helps families estimate costs in minutes—a transparency move rare among elite privates.

Bates is the anti-status-quo Ivy: no Greek life, no core curriculum, and a 170-year streak of rejecting pretense. Its test-optional?Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policy (pioneered in 1984) and winter-term intensity reflect a belief in learning over credentialing. The college punches above its weight in environmental science (leveraging Maine’s ecosystems) and economics (Wall Street recruits heavily here). Unlike Williams or Amherst, Bates feels unapologetically Maine—think L.L. Bean boots at lectures and a hockey team that’s religion. For students who want rigorous academics without cutthroat competition, it’s a golden ticket: 91% graduate, and they do so with purpose.