in 2016–17, where all 170 applicants failed to gain admission. The college had its highest admit rate during the 2008–09 year, accepting 30.4% of applicants.
The average high school GPA for the class of 2019 was an unweighted 3.71. The average SAT Score was 2135 (715 Critical Reasoning, 711 Mathematics and 709 Writing), and the average ACT score range was 28 to 32. Bates has a Test Optional Policy, which gives the applicant the choice to not send in their standardized test scores. Bates' non-submitting students averaged only 0.05 points lower on their collegiate grade point average. The Wall Street Journal found that Bates had some of the "toughest rejection letters" in the U.S. during the late-2000s. The college later apologized and issued a statement assuring that it makes an effort to "[deny] the student's application… not [reject] the student".
=== Cost of attendance and financial aid ===
For the 2024–25 academic year, Bates charged a comprehensive price (tuition, room and board, and associated fees) of …
