Bates College has stood firmly for the ideals of academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, egalitarianism, social justice, and freedom since its founding just before the Civil War.  The College is dedicated to the principle of active engagement: two-thirds of Bates' students study abroad and 40% participate in internships. Bates is consistently listed as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation by major national surveys.

Bates College is a four-year, private liberal arts college founded in 1855.

Mission
Bates College is a coeducational, nonsectarian, residential college with special commitments to academic rigor and to assuring in all of its efforts the dignity of each individual and access to its programs and opportunities by qualified learners. Bates prizes both the inherent values of a demanding education and the profound usefulness of learning, teaching, and understanding.

Student Profile
1,730 students (54% female, 46% male). 89% of students are from out-of-state. 10% minority; (1% American Indian; 4% Asian; 3% African American; 85% Caucasian; 2% Latino), 5% international. 94% first-year student retention rate and 89% average graduation rate.

Faculty Profile
164 full-time undergraduate professors. 10:1 student-faculty ratio. Average class size of 17.

Cost and Aid
The 2007-2008 comprehensive fee was $46,800 tuition. In 2007, 45% of incoming first-year students received some financial aid. Average Award Package is $27,545.