Bates College
Lewiston, Maine · Private, nonprofit · 1,760 undergraduates
Of 9 programs with reported earnings, 8 leave graduates out-earning a typical Maine high-school graduate (about $38,000/yr) and 1 fall short. Another 23 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $2,397 |
| $30k to $48k | $8,958 |
| $48k to $75k | $11,336 |
| $75k to $110k | $19,468 |
| $110k and up | $45,886 |
| All families (average) | $29,351 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research and Experimental Psychology | Bachelor's Degree | $47,376 | +$9,376 | clears the bar | $13,750 | 1.5 yrs |
| Economics | Bachelor's Degree | $110,880 | +$72,880 | clears the bar | $13,000 | 0.2 yrs |
| Political Science and Government | Bachelor's Degree | $80,714 | +$42,714 | clears the bar | $11,532 | 0.3 yrs |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | Bachelor's Degree | $38,437 | +$437 | clears the bar | $9,614 | 22 yrs |
| Biology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $30,613 | -$7,387 | falls short | $12,850 | n/a |
| Sociology | Bachelor's Degree | $42,170 | +$4,170 | clears the bar | $13,442 | 3.2 yrs |
| English Language and Literature, General | Bachelor's Degree | $62,082 | +$24,082 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | Bachelor's Degree | $40,395 | +$2,395 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $65,926 | +$27,926 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
Access and outcomes: 12% of students receive Pell grants · 90% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.