Bates College vs Lawrence University
Bates College and Lawrence University, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Bates, located in Lewiston, Maine, boasts a lower acceptance rate (13%) compared to Lawrence's (56%) in Appleton, Wisconsin. While Bates students predominantly pursue majors in the social sciences, humanities, and biological sciences, Lawrence students often gravitate towards the arts, music, and natural sciences. Bates' student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of around 1,800, while Lawrence fosters a more intimate community of approximately 1,500 undergraduates. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Bates at 89% and Lawrence at 86%, indicating their commitment to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover further distinctions between these two exceptional institutions and determine which aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Bates College |
![]() Lawrence University |
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Overview |
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Location | Lewiston, Maine | Appleton, Wisconsin |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Trimester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 92.0% | 89.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 17.3% | 75.0% |
Application fees | $60 | |
SAT range | N/A | 1230 - 1460 |
ACT range | N/A | 27 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 24.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 37.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 7,319 | 2,907 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,267 | 2,179 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 553 | 402 |
Yield rate | 43.6% | 18.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $77,870 | $65,445 |
Average net price | $26,231 | $24,804 |
Tuition | $59,062 | $52,101 |
Room & board | $16,658 |
Room/dormitory:
$5,814
Meal plan:
$5,370
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
36.0%
Average amount $50,509 |
100.0%
Average amount $39,841 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
12.0%
Average amount $4,182 |
57.0%
Average amount $5,053 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $23,825 |
6.0%
Average amount $16,464 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,821
Men 48.6% Women 51.4% |
1,483
Men 45.8% Women 54.2% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 73.1% |
International students | 8.7% | 12.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,816 | 1,460 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota Texas California |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 91.7% | 80.5% |
Dropout rate | 2.3% | 19.0% |
Transferred out | 5.8% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
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