More selective than 88% of Maine colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
14% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 8% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Bates College over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have Bates College's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at Bates College or have its file? Send it to us.
Bates College SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Bates College is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 710 | 750 |
| SAT math | 710 | 780 |
| ACT composite | 31 | 34 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1420 | 1530 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Bates College admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 13% | 710–750 | 710–780 | 31–34 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 13% | 700–740 | 700–770 | 31–33 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Bates College compared with other Maine colleges?
Bates College has the 3rd-lowest acceptance rate of 16 Maine colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colby College | 7% | 89% | $17,180 |
| 2 | Bowdoin College | 7% | 95% | $14,398 |
| 3 | Bates College | 13% | 90% | $29,351 |
| 4 | Maine Maritime Academy | 54% | 58% | $23,414 |
| 5 | College of the Atlantic | 70% | 68% | $25,184 |
| 6 | Maine College of Health Professions | 71% | 67% | $26,312 |
| 7 | Maine College of Art & Design | 76% | 52% | $38,338 |
| 8 | University of Southern Maine | 79% | 40% | $13,596 |
| 9 | Husson University | 81% | 59% | $21,005 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Maine colleges →
Who enrolls at Bates College
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Bates College admissions questions
What is the Bates College acceptance rate?
Bates College accepts 13% of applicants, about 1 in 8. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 1,164 of 8,937 applicants were admitted.
Does Bates College require the SAT or ACT?
Bates College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 14% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 8% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Bates College?
The middle 50% of Bates College enrolled first-year students scored 1420–1530 on the SAT and 31–34 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Bates College?
43% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (505 of 1,164).
Is Bates College getting harder to get into?
Bates College accepted 13% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 13% for Fall 2023.
Is Bates College the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Bates College overview