Costs & Financial Aid

Making a high-quality education accessible.

Bates is committed to making an excellent education accessible and affordable to all admitted students, regardless of family financial circumstances, and offers need-based financial aid to eligible students.

Eligibility for aid is based on the philosophy that paying for college is, first and foremost, a family endeavor. Bates offers financial aid when we recognize that the contribution a family is able to make is less than the total cost of attendance. To determine eligibility, Bates uses guidelines established by the College Scholarship Service.

Our commitment is a direct extension of the ethical vision that inspired the College’s founders: An education that is open to all will ensure that future leaders and problem-solvers emerge from every walk of life and are able to collaborate with people representing diverse cultures and viewpoints.

Bates charges a single comprehensive fee, which includes tuition, room, board and fees. The 2012-2013 comprehensive fee for attending Bates is $57,235. Costs for books, personal expenses and transportation are added to a student’s budget for the purpose of calculating financial need and awarding aid. Approximately 43 percent of enrolled students receive grant assistance from the College—the average grant among students receiving assistance in fall 2011 is $35,089, and the average financial aid package (grant, loan and work) is $38,700. All financial aid at Bates is awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need.