Is Bates College Worth the Debt?
Graduates of Bates College earn a median of $73,081 within 5 years, against a median debt of $21,004. The graduation rate is 10000%.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Avg Median Debt | $21,004 |
| Avg Median Earnings (1yr) | $53,400 |
| Avg Median Earnings (5yr) | $73,081 |
| Graduation Rate | 10000% |
| School Type | private |
| Majors Available | 20 |
Top Majors by ROI
| Major | ROI Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 97/100 | A |
| Physics | 80/100 | A |
| Economics | 73/100 | B |
| Political Science and Government | 73/100 | B |
| Sociology | 73/100 | B |
How does Bates College compare?
Average debt at Bates College is $21,004, which is $5,291 below the national average of $26,295 for federal aid recipients. First-year earnings of $53,400 sit $4,375 below the national average of $57,775.
That works out to a debt-to-income ratio of 0.39x — meaning a graduate would need 0.4 years of full pre-tax first-year salary to clear the debt. Below 0.5x is excellent and indicates strong ROI. Picking the right major matters more than picking the school: at Bates College, the Mathematics program scores Grade A on ROI (STRONG BUY).
Graduates of Bates College earn a median of $73,081 within 5 years, against a median debt of $21,004. The graduation rate is 10000%.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2026.