Bates College vs Bowdoin College
Bates College is a private college in Lewiston, ME. Bowdoin College is a private college in Brunswick, ME. Bowdoin College admits about 7% of applicants and Bates College about 13%, making Bowdoin College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $14,398 a year at Bowdoin College after aid, and about $29,351 at Bates College. About 95% of students graduate at Bowdoin College, compared with 90% at Bates College. Ten years after enrolling, Bowdoin College alumni earn a median of about $82,735, against $69,498 for Bates College.
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- Is Bates College or Bowdoin College harder to get into?
- Bowdoin College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 13% at Bates College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Bates College or Bowdoin College?
- Bowdoin College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,398 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $29,351 at Bates College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Bates College and Bowdoin College?
- Before aid, Bates College costs about $83,532 a year and Bowdoin College about $85,100. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Bates College or Bowdoin College?
- Bates College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $2,397 there, against about $3,145 at Bowdoin College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Bates College or Bowdoin College?
- Bowdoin College is the larger of the two, with about 1,873 undergraduates against 1,760 at Bates College.
- Does Bates College or Bowdoin College have a better graduation rate?
- Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, at about 95% against 90% at Bates College.
- Do graduates of Bates College or Bowdoin College earn more?
- Bowdoin College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $82,735 ten years after enrolling, against about $69,498 for Bates College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Bates College and Bowdoin College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Bates College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Bowdoin College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Bates College and Bowdoin College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1420–1530 at Bates College and 1470–1550 at Bowdoin College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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