Bates College

Summary

Bates College is a private institution that was founded in 1855. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,725, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 109 acres. It utilizes a other-based academic calendar. Bates College's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 21. Its comprehensive cost is $55,300 (2011-12).

Bates College—the first coeducational college in New England—is located in Lewiston, Maine, along the Androscoggin River. Its setting is favorable for outdoor enthusiasts; skiing, canoeing, beaches, Lake Auburn, and natural parks are all nearby. Approximately 95 percent of students live on campus in either a residence hall or one of Bates’ 25 Victorian homes, which house between 10 and 30 students each. Among the more than 110 student organizations are the Outing Club, which sponsors outdoor and adventure trips throughout the year; the Brooks Quimby Debate Council; and WRBC, the Bates radio station. About one-third of Bates students participate in varsity athletics, and the Bates Bobcats are members of the NCAA Division III New England Small College Athletic Conference.

Bates offers bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in a number of subjects. The General Education requirement is intended to provide students with a well-rounded education, but students still choose a specialized field of study from more than 30 available majors. If none of those are appealing, students have the option to design their own interdisciplinary major. About two-thirds of students take advantage of study abroad programs, and Bates’ unique academic calendar incorporates a short five-week spring term during which students can focus on a single topic or partake in an off-campus program.