Bates vs Amherst Introduction
Choosing the right college can be an overwhelming task. In this comparison, we will look at two renowned liberal arts colleges, Bates College and Amherst College. We will cover an overview of each school, costs and tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes. This comprehensive comparison will help you make an informed decision on which college best suits your needs and preferences.
Bates Overview
Bates College is a private liberal arts college located in Lewiston, Maine. Founded in 1855, it is known for its strong commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and inclusion. With a student population of around 1,800, Bates offers a close-knit community and a student-faculty ratio of 10:1.
Bates Costs & Tuition
The total cost of attending Bates, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is approximately $73,000 per year. However, Bates is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted students. The average financial aid package is around $40,000 per year, and about 42% of students receive need-based financial aid.
Bates Admissions
Admissions at Bates are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of about 12%. The average SAT score of admitted students is between 1,320 and 1,470, and the average ACT score is between 30 and 33. Bates offers Early Action and Regular Decision admissions, as well as test-optional and test-flexible application options.
Bates Degrees Offered
Bates offers over 30 majors and minors across various disciplines in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Some popular majors include Biology, Economics, English, History, and Political Science. In addition, Bates encourages interdisciplinary studies and offers several dual-degree programs in partnership with other institutions.
Bates Academics
The academic environment at Bates is known for its rigor and support. Students are encouraged to engage in independent research and experiential learning opportunities such as internships, study abroad programs, and community service projects. The college also has a strong focus on writing and communication skills.
Bates Diversity
Bates prides itself on its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Approximately 25% of the student population are students of color, and 8% are international students. The college also offers numerous support services, clubs, and organizations dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community.
Bates Students
Students at Bates describe the campus culture as collaborative, supportive, and socially conscious. With over 100 clubs and organizations, there are ample opportunities for students to get involved and develop leadership skills. Athletics is also an important part of the Bates experience, with about 40% of students participating in varsity, club, or intramural sports.
Bates Campus
The Bates campus spans 133 acres and features a mix of historic and modern buildings, including a state-of-the-art science center and a recently renovated dining hall. The college also boasts over 600 acres of nearby outdoor recreation areas for students to enjoy, including a coastal center and a 600-acre lake.
Bates Alumni
Notable Bates alumni include former U.S. Senator Edmund Muskie, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout, and actor Patrick Dempsey. Bates graduates have gone on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including business, education, law, and the arts.
Bates Rankings
Bates College consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Bates was ranked #21 among National Liberal Arts Colleges.
Bates Outcomes
Bates has an impressive 93% six-year graduation rate, and 75% of graduates go on to attend graduate or professional schools within five years of earning their bachelor’s degree. The college also has a strong alumni network and comprehensive career services to support students in their post-graduation endeavors.
Amherst Overview
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts. Founded in 1821, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious liberal arts colleges in the country. With a student population of around 1,850, Amherst offers a small, close-knit community and a student-faculty ratio of 7:1.
Amherst Costs & Tuition
The total cost of attending Amherst, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is approximately $78,000 per year. However, Amherst is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted students. The average financial aid package is around $50,000 per year, and about 60% of students receive need-based financial aid.
Amherst Admissions
Admissions at Amherst are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of about 13%. The average SAT score of admitted students is between 1,430 and 1,560, and the average ACT score is between 32 and 35. Amherst offers Early Decision and Regular Decision admissions, as well as test-optional and test-flexible application options.
Amherst Degrees Offered
Amherst offers over 40 majors and minors across various disciplines in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Some popular majors include Economics, English, History, Political Science, and Psychology. In addition, Amherst students can take courses at nearby colleges through the Five College Consortium.
Amherst Academics
Amherst is known for its strong focus on undergraduate education and opportunities for research and experiential learning. The college has an open curriculum, allowing students to explore their interests without the constraints of a core curriculum. This flexibility, combined with small class sizes and close collaboration with faculty, fosters a challenging and supportive academic environment.
Amherst Diversity
Amherst has a diverse student population, with about 45% of students identifying as students of color and 10% as international students. The college is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion and offers numerous resources, clubs, and organizations dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community.
Amherst Students
The student body at Amherst is described as engaged, intellectually curious, and socially active. There are over 150 clubs and organizations on campus, providing opportunities for students to get involved and develop leadership skills. Athletics is also an important part of the Amherst experience, with about 30% of students participating in varsity, club, or intramural sports.
Amherst Campus
The Amherst campus spans 1,000 acres and features a mix of historic and modern buildings, including a state-of-the-art science center, a new student center, and a recently renovated library. The campus also has extensive outdoor recreation areas and access to nearby cultural and natural attractions.
Amherst Alumni
Notable Amherst alumni include former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Henry Kendall, and author David Foster Wallace. Amherst graduates have gone on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including academia, business, law, and the arts.
Amherst Rankings
Amherst College consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Amherst was ranked #2 among National Liberal Arts Colleges.
Amherst Outcomes
Amherst has an impressive 94% six-year graduation rate, and 80% of graduates go on to attend graduate or professional schools within five years of earning their bachelor’s degree. The college also has a strong alumni network and comprehensive career services to support students in their post-graduation endeavors.
Bates vs Amherst Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending Bates and Amherst, both institutions have a similar total cost per year, with Bates at approximately $73,000 and Amherst at approximately $78,000. However, both colleges are committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students. Amherst offers a slightly higher average financial aid package at around $50,000 per year compared to Bates’ average of $40,000 per year.
Bates vs Amherst Admissions Difficulty
Both Bates and Amherst have highly selective admissions, with acceptance rates of 12% and 13%, respectively. The average SAT scores of admitted students are comparable, with Bates’ range between 1,320 and 1,470, and Amherst’s range between 1,430 and 1,560. Similarly, the average ACT scores are close, with Bates’ between 30 and 33, and Amherst’s between 32 and 35.
Bates vs Amherst Academic Difficulty
Both Bates and Amherst are known for their rigorous academic environments and strong focus on undergraduate education. They offer a range of majors and minors across various disciplines, with small class sizes and close collaboration with faculty. The main difference in their academic offerings is Amherst’s open curriculum, which allows students more flexibility in their course selection compared to Bates’ more structured approach.
Bates vs Amherst Outcome Comparison
The outcomes for graduates of both Bates and Amherst are impressive, with six-year graduation rates of 93% and 94%, respectively. Additionally, a large proportion of graduates from both colleges go on to attend graduate or professional schools within five years of earning their bachelor’s degrees. Both colleges have strong alumni networks and comprehensive career services to support students in their post-graduation endeavors.
In conclusion, Bates and Amherst are both outstanding liberal arts colleges with rigorous academics, diverse communities, and impressive outcomes for their students. Your choice between the two may come down to factors such as location, campus culture, and specific academic programs. We hope this comparison has provided you with valuable information to help you make an informed decision.
