Bates College continues to work to remain affordable, and since 1993, has leveled the growth in the rate of increase of the comprehensive fee while increasing financial aid opportunies.  Bates charges a single comprehensive fee which includes all tuition, mandatory fees, room and board costs.

Each year, the College presents audited financial statements as well as a summary of revenues and expenses for the fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30. 

Over the past five years, the endowment at Bates has grown by over $177 million.

Approximately half of the alumni of record contribute the annual fund each year; they are a significant part of total annual giving at Bates.

On July 18, 2006, Bates announced the successful completion of its largest fundraising campaign, The Campaign for Bates: Endowing Our Values, which surpassed the $120 million goal set in September 2000. The campaign raised $120,897,820 from 18,813 alumni, parents and other supporters — more than twice the total raised in the previous campaign, which ran from 1992–1996.