Head-to-head comparison
Bates College vs. Middlebury College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Bates or Middlebury harder to get into?
Middlebury is harder to get into than Bates. Middlebury's 10.8% acceptance rate is lower than Bates's 13.3%.
Which is cheaper, Bates or Middlebury?
Bates costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Bates's average net price is $29,351 vs $31,483 at Middlebury.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Middlebury graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $69,498 at Bates and $76,310 at Middlebury.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Bates | Middlebury |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 13.3% | 10.8% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1420–1530 | 1445–1550 |
| ACT mid-50% | 31–34 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $83,532 | $85,880 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $29,351 | $31,483 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,760 | 2,738 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 89.7% | 91.4% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $69,498 | $76,310 |
| Setting | Lewiston, Maine | Middlebury, Vermont |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Middlebury is modestly harder to get into. The 2.6-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Middlebury is substantially larger with 2,738 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; Middlebury is in Middlebury, Vermont. 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. Middlebury is 53.5% women, 12.3% international, and 7.4% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Bates | Middlebury |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 51.8% | 53.5% |
| International | 9.8% | 12.3% |
| White | 60.2% | 54.2% |
| Asian | 6.6% | 7.4% |
| Hispanic | 9.7% | 12.5% |
| Black | 4.5% | 5.2% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Bates vs. Middlebury?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Bates if
- Your odds are realistic at Bates (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Bates costs $2,132 less per year on average
- its Short Term May program
Pick Middlebury if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($76,310 vs $69,498)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- its language schools
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
Middlebury College
10.8% accept · Middlebury, Vermont
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.