Bates College
ME · Private · 100% graduation rate
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | $18K | $78K | $126K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Physics | $18K | $65K | $90K | B | BUY |
| Economics | $21K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Political Science and Government | $21K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Sociology | $21K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Anthropology | $21K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Biology | $21K | $55K | $74K | C | BUY |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $21K | $55K | $74K | C | BUY |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $21K | $55K | $74K | C | BUY |
| Religion/Religious Studies | $22K | $52K | $70K | C | CAUTION |
| Philosophy | $22K | $52K | $70K | C | CAUTION |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $21K | $50K | $68K | C | CAUTION |
| History | $22K | $50K | $68K | C | CAUTION |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $21K | $48K | $65K | C | CAUTION |
| Romance Languages | $21K | $48K | $65K | C | CAUTION |
| English Language and Literature | $22K | $48K | $64K | C | CAUTION |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $22K | $48K | $64K | C | CAUTION |
| Area Studies | $21K | $45K | $60K | C | CAUTION |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $21K | $45K | $60K | C | CAUTION |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22K | $42K | $57K | C | CAUTION |
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at Bates College earns a grade of A, with median debt of $18K and year-5 earnings of $126K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
Bates College has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at Bates College. For example, Mathematics graduates have median debt of $18K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Mathematics with median year-5 earnings of $126K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Related Schools & Majors
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).