15. Bates College, ME
Phyllis Graber Jensen—Bates College
- Estimated price 2016-17 without aid: $65,300
- Estimated price 2016-17 with average aid: $24,800
- Early career earnings: $46,700
- Average SAT/AVT score: NA/NA
Bates College is a small New England liberal arts school with a tight-knit student body. Its 2,000 undergrads, almost all of them living, eating, and hanging out together on campus, are famously friendly to each other and to outsiders. Academics at Bates are challenging without being overwhelming. In a typical day, students might go from classes to sports or a cappella practice, and then gather in the Commons to refuel on brick-oven pizza before studying.