Bates College vs Wake Forest University (WFU)
Bates College and Wake Forest University, both esteemed private institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Bates, nestled in Lewiston, Maine, boasts a tight-knit community with a focus on liberal arts education, while Wake Forest, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, combines a liberal arts foundation with renowned programs in business and the sciences. With Bates' acceptance rate hovering around 15% and Wake Forest's at 30%, both institutions are highly selective. While Bates' student body is predominantly White, Wake Forest's is more diverse, reflecting the broader national demographics. Both colleges boast impressive graduation rates, with Bates at 93% and Wake Forest at 89%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions' academic offerings, campus life, and financial aid opportunities, and make an informed decision that aligns with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() Bates College |
![]() Wake Forest University |
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Overview |
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Location | Lewiston, Maine | Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 92.0% | 94.0% |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 17.3% | 25.2% |
Application fees | $60 |
Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$80
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 7,319 | 15,156 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,267 | 3,816 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 553 | 1,412 |
Yield rate | 43.6% | 37.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $77,870 | $79,886 |
Average net price | $26,231 | $24,643 |
Tuition | $59,062 | $58,708 |
Room & board | $16,658 |
Room/dormitory:
$10,144
Meal plan:
$7,870
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
36.0%
Average amount $50,509 |
33.0%
Average amount $53,244 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
12.0%
Average amount $4,182 |
17.0%
Average amount $4,985 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $23,825 |
3.0%
Average amount $32,719 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,821
Men 48.6% Women 51.4% |
5,472
Men 45.7% Women 54.3% |
Graduate students | N/A |
3,475
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 8.7% | 9.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,816 | 4,152 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 91.7% | 90.2% |
Dropout rate | 2.3% | 9.5% |
Transferred out | 5.8% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
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