Tuition, Fees and Other Costs
A Bates education is one of the most worthwhile investments you will make — it will provide you with the tools for a lifetime of learning, engagement, and achievement. Student Financial Services will work with your family to make this important investment affordable.
| 2024-25 Costs | Fee/Cost |
|---|---|
| Direct Costs – costs that appear on the billing statement | |
| Single Fee (includes $66,590 for tuition and $18,780 for food and housing) | $85,370 |
| First Year Fee | $425 |
| Bates Student Health Insurance* | $2,447 (full year) |
| $1,515 (winter only) | |
| Off-Campus Study Fee (per semester) | $2,988 |
| Applied Music Fee (per course) | $575 |
| Indirect Costs – estimated costs that do not appear on the billing statement | |
| Books, course materials and supplies | $900 |
| Personal expenses | $1,000 |
| Transportation | $250 – $1,150 |
First Year Fee
First-year students are assessed a fee of $425 which appears on the fall semester bill. This one-time fee covers the cost of programming, transportation for orientation activities, and the cost of meals during orientation before the meal plan begins. Students receiving need-based financial aid from Bates will be awarded additional grant to cover this fee.
Student Health Insurance
All students enrolled at Bates are required to have health insurance and must provide annual proof of coverage. Students may elect coverage under their own insurance, through their employer or their parents’ policies, or through the Bates Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). The cost of coverage through the SHIP for the full 12 months is $2,447. For students who are not enrolled (on campus or abroad) for the fall semester and enroll in the SHIP for January, the premium is $1,515.
To ensure that students have adequate coverage, the college requires students to either enroll in or waive out of the Bates SHIP by completing the Health Insurance enrollment/waiver process accessed through the Garnet Gateway and administered by Wellfleet Insurance Group. The enrollment/waiver process for the 2024-25 academic year closes on the following dates:
- Domestic continuing students – May 22, 2024
- Domestic entering students – May 31, 2024
- Domestic students not enrolled (on campus or abroad) for fall – December 30, 2024
Please note that international students are automatically enrolled in the Bates SHIP.
Students who elect the Bates SHIP or are required to enroll in the plan will be billed the cost of the SHIP in September (students enrolled for the fall semester) or January (students enrolled for the winter semester.) Students receiving need-based financial aid from Bates may qualify for a full or partial grant subsidy, depending on their family’s Bates-determined contribution, to help offset this cost.
Students who receive financial aid and have an expected contribution of $15,000 or less will receive a full subsidy, while students with an expected contribution between $15,000 and $40,000 will receive a 50% subsidy. No subsidy will be provided when the expected contribution exceeds $40,000. Please note that the expected contribution appears as “estimated remaining costs” on the Bates financial aid award offer provided by Student Financial Services.
Students who take no action and do not complete the mandatory enrollment/waiver process will automatically be enrolled in and charged for the cost of the SHIP – there will be no refunds or reversals of charges.
Additional information about the Bates SHIP is available through the following resources:
Off-Campus Study Fee
Students participating in off-campus study (except those on the Bates Fall Semester Abroad Program) are charged a fee of $2,988 for each semester spent away from Bates. This fee is charged by Bates and separate from fees that may be charged by your off-campus program.
Applied Music
Students who register for and receive private music lessons incur additional fees. The fee for Applied Music is $575 per course, which covers eleven lessons.
Students receiving need-based financial aid from Bates may qualify for a full or partial grant subsidy, depending on their Bates-calculated family contribution, to help offset this cost.
Students with a calculated family contribution of $15,000 or less will receive a full subsidy, while students with contributions between $15,000 and $40,000 will receive a 50% subsidy. No subsidy will be provided when the calculated contribution exceeds $40,000. The calculated family contribution appears on the student’s financial aid award letter provided by Student Financial Services.
Books, Personal Expenses, and Transportation
Books, personal expenses and transportation are estimated expenses that do not appear on the bills, but should be planned for. Typically, these are included in your family’s expected contribution toward costs.
When determining financial aid eligibility, we estimate costs of $2,150 to $3,050 for books, personal expenses and transportation for the year, though the actual amount may be more or less, depending upon individual preference.
How We Can Help
Whether or not you qualify for financial aid, Student Financial Services can be a helpful resource for your family. In addition to need-based financial aid, we offer monthly payment plans and numerous student and parent loan options.