Head-to-head comparison
Bates College vs. Colgate University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Bates or Colgate harder to get into?
Bates is harder to get into than Colgate. Bates's 13.3% acceptance rate is lower than Colgate's 13.9%.
Which is cheaper, Bates or Colgate?
Colgate costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Colgate's average net price is $28,786 vs $29,351 at Bates.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Colgate graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $69,498 at Bates and $85,139 at Colgate.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Bates | Colgate |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 13.3% | 13.9% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1420–1530 | 1430–1540 |
| ACT mid-50% | 31–34 | 33–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $83,532 | $87,070 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $29,351 | $28,786 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,760 | 3,180 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 89.7% | 91.2% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $69,498 | $85,139 |
| Setting | Lewiston, Maine | Hamilton, New York |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Bates's 13.3% acceptance rate and Colgate's 13.9% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Net cost is essentially the same at both schools after grants and scholarships, despite different sticker prices. Both schools meet most demonstrated need for in-range income brackets.
Colgate graduates earn $15,641 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Bates grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Colgate is substantially larger with 3,180 undergrads vs 1,760 at Bates. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Bates is in Lewiston, Maine; Colgate is in Hamilton, New York. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Bates is 51.8% women, 9.8% international, and 6.6% Asian-American. Colgate is 56.8% women, 8.1% international, and 5.3% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Bates | Colgate |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 51.8% | 56.8% |
| International | 9.8% | 8.1% |
| White | 60.2% | 64.3% |
| Asian | 6.6% | 5.3% |
| Hispanic | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Black | 4.5% | 4.3% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Bates vs. Colgate?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Bates if
- its Short Term May program
Pick Colgate if
- Your odds are realistic at Colgate (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Colgate costs $565 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($85,139 vs $69,498)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- Core Distinction courses
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Bates College
13.3% accept · Lewiston, Maine
Full profile
Colgate University
13.9% accept · Hamilton, New York
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.