Bates was one of the first colleges in the US to admit women alongside men, from its founding in 1855, and in 1984 it was among the first to make the SAT optional. The campus is in Lewiston, Maine, beside the Androscoggin River, with a small hill called Mount David at one end. It is a selective liberal arts college with about 1,800 students. The academic year ends with a five-week Short Term for intensive courses and fieldwork.
Lewiston, Maine, United States
Official website: bates.edu
1855
Private liberal arts college
About 1,800 students
Test-optional since 1984
$68,000 – $72,000
Sticker price before need-based aid
$17,000 – $20,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on bates.edu before you apply.
BA Economics
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
TOEFL: 100 recommended
BS Neuroscience
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
TOEFL: 100 recommended
BA Politics
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
TOEFL: 100 recommended
BA Environmental Studies
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
TOEFL: 100 recommended
A senior thesis completed by most students.
The spring Short Term for field and lab courses.
An outing club that has run for more than a century.
Graduates go on to graduate school, finance, consulting, public service and education.
A loyal alumni network helps with internships in Boston and New York.
STEM graduates can apply for up to three years of OPT.
Undergrad
Early decision, regular decision
Postgrad
No PG intake
The campus is compact and residential, with nearly all students living in college housing. Lake Andrews and Mount David are part of daily walks.
Lewiston is an old mill city with low costs and a growing immigrant community. Portland and the coast are about 45 minutes away, and winters are cold and snowy.
Form I-20 issued by Bates College
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Bates has two early decision rounds, in November and January, and a regular decision deadline in early January. International applicants follow the same dates.
First-year students start in late August or early September. There is no graduate programme.
International students come in on an F-1 visa. The I-20 comes from Bates College after you confirm your place and show you can cover a year of costs; you then pay the SEVIS fee, fill in the DS-160 and book your consulate interview.
Economics, neuroscience, politics and environmental studies are among the popular majors. Admission is holistic, looking at school record, essays and recommendations, with testing optional. Strong English is expected, and non-native speakers usually submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo.
Bates gives need-based aid rather than merit scholarships. It aims to meet the full demonstrated need of admitted students, including international students, though admission for aid applicants is need-aware.
