Mathematics at Bates College

Bates College's mathematics program reflects a puzzling disconnect between the institution's highly selective profile and the estimated outcomes for this degree. With an admission rate of just 13% and average SAT scores of 1446, this is clearly an elite liberal arts college—yet comparable math programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $48,800, which sits at the national median. That's roughly half what Bowdoin, Maine's other elite liberal arts college, reports for its math graduates ($90,200). Whether this gap reflects differences in career paths chosen by graduates (more pursuing graduate school, teaching, or public service), geographical employment patterns, or simply the limitations of small-sample estimation is impossible to determine from the available data.

The estimated debt load of $21,750 keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio reasonable at 0.45, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. That's manageable by most standards, though only 10% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting many families here may have resources beyond loans to finance the degree. For a family paying out of pocket or taking on private debt beyond federal loans, the value equation becomes more complex.

The takeaway: if your child is considering Bates for math, the ROI hinges heavily on post-graduation plans and whether the liberal arts environment supports those goals. The national benchmarks suggest modest early earnings, but Bates graduates may be optimizing for different outcomes than immediate salary—a choice that needs to align with your family's financial situation and your child's specific career vision.