Middlebury College vs Bates College

Middlebury College and Bates College, both highly regarded liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Middlebury stands out with its lower acceptance rate of 13%, indicating a highly selective admissions process, while Bates has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 15%. Middlebury's student body is more diverse, with international students comprising 14% of the population compared to Bates' 9%. In terms of popular majors, Middlebury students often pursue degrees in the social sciences, while Bates students frequently choose majors in the natural sciences. Both colleges boast impressive graduation rates, with Middlebury's at 94% and Bates' at 93%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more, allowing you to assess which college better aligns with your academic goals and preferences.

	Bates College	Middlebury College
Overview
Location	Lewiston, Maine	Middlebury, Vermont
Campus setting	City: Small	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	4-1-4	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	92.0%	94.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	17.3%	13.4%
Application fees	$60	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $75
SAT range	N/A	1380 - 1530
ACT range	N/A	32 - 34
Students submitting SAT score		31.0%
Students submitting ACT score		23.0%
Total number of applicants	7,319	11,906
Total number of admissions given out	1,267	1,601
Admitted students who chose to enroll	553	680
Yield rate	43.6%	42.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$77,870	$78,820
Average net price	$26,231	$26,958
Tuition	$59,062	$59,330
Room & board	$16,658	Room/dormitory: $9,600 Meal plan: $7,450
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	36.0% Average amount $50,509	52.0% Average amount $49,988
Students receiving federal student loan	12.0% Average amount $4,182	25.0% Average amount $4,384
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $23,825	10.0% Average amount $7,858

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,821 Men 48.6% Women 51.4%	2,858 Men 46.4% Women 53.6%
Graduate students	N/A	79 Men 8.9% Women 91.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	94.7%
International students	8.7%	12.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	1,816	2,891
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	New York Mississippi California Connecticut Vermont

Academics
Popular study areas	Physical Science Social Sciences Ethnic Studies Foreign Languages and Literatures Psychology	Foreign Languages and Literatures Social Sciences Ethnic Studies English Language and Literature Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	10:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	91.7%	91.2%
Dropout rate	2.3%	1.7%
Transferred out	5.8%	7.1%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,768 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $73,497 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $51,273 Year 3: $55,661 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,568 Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: $53,638 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $22,883 Year 2: $26,353 Year 3: $35,020 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $22,192 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $30,771 Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $33,170 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,112 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,731 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,657 Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: N/A	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,712 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $98,106 International Relations and National Security Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,169 Year 2: $60,523 Year 3: $68,272 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,074 Year 2: $41,025 Year 3: $62,953 International Business (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,380 Year 2: $55,512 Year 3: $62,186 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $51,883 Year 2: $56,544 Year 3: $61,255 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $53,031 Year 2: $40,485 Year 3: $60,732 Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,928 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $57,550 Education, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,155 Year 2: $46,869 Year 3: $50,725 Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $38,056 Year 2: $43,798 Year 3: $44,126 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,769 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $41,771

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key academic differences between Middlebury College and Bates College?

Middlebury College is renowned for its strong language programs, particularly its immersive language schools and international studies focus. Bates College, while also offering a strong liberal arts education, emphasizes a more flexible curriculum with fewer required courses, allowing students greater freedom in designing their academic paths. Bates is also known for its strong pre-med and pre-law programs.
How does the campus environment differ between Middlebury and Bates?

Middlebury College boasts a quintessential New England college town setting in Vermont, with a close-knit community and a strong emphasis on outdoor activities due to its proximity to the Green Mountains. Bates College is located in Lewiston, Maine, a slightly more urban environment, but still offers a beautiful campus and easy access to outdoor recreation. Bates has a more integrated relationship with the surrounding city.
What are the strengths of the faculty at Middlebury and Bates?

Both Middlebury and Bates have highly qualified and dedicated faculty. Middlebury's faculty are often deeply involved in research and scholarship, particularly in language and international studies. Bates faculty are known for their accessibility and commitment to undergraduate teaching, fostering close student-faculty relationships and a strong mentoring culture.
How do the social scenes compare at Middlebury and Bates?

Middlebury's social scene is often centered around campus events, outdoor activities, and the town of Middlebury. Bates has a more integrated social scene, with a mix of on-campus events and opportunities to engage with the city of Lewiston. Both colleges offer a variety of clubs, organizations, and social activities to cater to diverse interests.
What are the athletic programs like at Middlebury and Bates?

Both Middlebury and Bates are members of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), known for its strong Division III athletics. Middlebury has a particularly strong athletic tradition, with a history of success in various sports. Bates also has competitive athletic programs and a dedicated student-athlete population.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Middlebury and Bates?

The overall cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is generally comparable at both Middlebury and Bates. However, financial aid packages can vary depending on individual circumstances. Both colleges are committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of admitted students.
What are the career services like at Middlebury and Bates?

Both colleges offer robust career services to help students with internships, job searches, and graduate school applications. Middlebury's career services often leverage its strong alumni network and international connections. Bates' career services provide personalized guidance and resources to help students explore career options and develop professional skills.
What is the student body like at Middlebury and Bates?

Both colleges attract a diverse and academically driven student body. Middlebury tends to draw students with a strong interest in international affairs, language, and environmental studies. Bates attracts students with a wide range of interests, including those interested in pre-med, pre-law, and social justice. Both colleges foster a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment.
How does the location influence the student experience at Middlebury and Bates?

Middlebury's location in Vermont provides easy access to outdoor recreation, including skiing, hiking, and camping, which is a significant part of the student experience. Bates' location in Maine offers access to both outdoor activities and the resources of a small city, including cultural events and internship opportunities. The location influences the types of activities and opportunities available to students.
Which college is better for a student interested in language studies?

Middlebury College is generally considered the stronger choice for students specifically focused on language studies due to its renowned language schools and immersive programs. However, Bates also offers strong language departments and opportunities for international study.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Bates College

Pitzer College