Bates College
Me · Private · 100% graduation rate
Bates College is a private university in Me with a 100% graduation rate. We track 20 majors with debt-to-earnings ROI analysis. The highest-ROI major is Mathematics (grade A), with median debt of $18K and year-5 earnings of $126K. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and NCES IPEDS.
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 | A | STRONG 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 | B | BUY |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $21K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $21K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $21K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $21K | $50K | $68K | B | BUY |
| History | $22K | $50K | $68K | B | BUY |
| Religion/Religious Studies | $22K | $52K | $70K | B | BUY |
| Philosophy | $22K | $52K | $70K | B | BUY |
| Romance Languages | $21K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| English Language and Literature | $22K | $48K | $64K | B | BUY |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $22K | $48K | $64K | B | BUY |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Area Studies | $21K | $45K | $60K | C | BUY |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $21K | $45K | $60K | C | BUY |
Similar Schools in Me
How Bates College Compares
Bates College graduates carry a median debt of $21K across tracked majors, which is $6K less than the private universities average of $27K. Year-1 earnings average $53K, about $3K below peers of the same type. Within Me, the per-major debt average is $25K, so this school sits $4K below the state median. Its composite ROI score of 70 is 1 points below the private universities baseline (71). Graduation rate of 100% is a primary ROI driver, since it determines how many students actually reach the earnings levels listed. Across the full site (2202 schools), the debt average is $26K.
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.
Explore College ROI Data
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).