At $30,703/yr net price, Bates College graduates earn $69,498/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $35,498/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $30,703 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $122,812 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $69,498/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$35,498/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 90.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,275 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,263/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,296/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,602/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,744/yr |
| $110,001+ | $49,109/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $13,000 |
| History. | Bachelor | $51,273 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $11,532 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $35,600 | $13,442 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $30,771 | |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $26,353 | $9,614 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 | |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $22,192 |
The Risk Factor
90.6% of students at Bates College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Bates College gives you a strong safety profile paired with a modest payoff. You leave with a median debt of just $14,275, one of the lowest figures you'll find at a private liberal arts college, and a 90.60% graduation rate means you're very likely to actually finish. Those two facts alone lower your financial risk more than the sticker price suggests.
The earnings picture is mixed and depends heavily on your major. Economics is the clear winner at Bates, paying nearly $69,000 ten years out on about $13,000 of debt. Everything else drops off fast. History grads land around $51,000, and it falls from there: political science, sociology, and English all sit in the $30,000s. That means an English degree here pays back roughly the same as your annual net price, while economics pays back more than double what those humanities majors earn. If you're set on the humanities, Bates is expensive for what those fields return.
The net price tiers are where Bates rewards lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $4,263 a year. under $48,000, still only $6,296. Aid stays generous up to $75,000. But there's a cliff after that: at $75,000-$110,000 your price jumps to $22,744, and above $110,000 you pay the near-full $49,109. Middle- and upper-middle families feel this school's cost the hardest.
Bates fits you if you qualify for strong need-based aid or you plan to major in economics. It's a weaker financial bet if your family income sits just above the aid cutoff and you want to study a humanities field that pays in the $30,000s. Run your specific net price before assuming the low-debt reputation applies to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bates College worth the cost?
Bates graduates earn a median of $69,498 ten years after graduation, which is solid but not exceptional given the high academic standards and selectivity. The relatively low debt burden of $14,275 helps the overall value proposition, though the net price of $30,703 per year still requires careful financial planning.
What are the highest paying majors at Bates College?
Economics majors at Bates earn the highest median salary at $69,338, while most other popular programs like History ($51,273) and Political Science ($38,289) produce more modest returns. English majors face particularly challenging prospects with median earnings of just $30,771.
How much debt do Bates College graduates typically have?
Bates graduates carry a median debt of $14,275, which is relatively manageable compared to many private colleges. This lower debt burden helps offset the modest earnings in some popular majors like Sociology and English.
Does Bates College provide good financial aid?
With a net price of $30,703 compared to Bates' full sticker price, the college does provide meaningful financial aid to most students. The 90.60% graduation rate suggests most students can afford to complete their degrees, though families should still expect significant out-of-pocket costs.