Bates will be great. I and my son are URMs. If my son had made connections with kids going to Bates, and felt comfortable there, I would be totally happy with him going there. The academics and prestige are right there with Bowdoin. These are NESCAC league schools. They are called the “Little Ivies” because going to Bates or Bowdoin is like getting an Ivy League education at a small school. They are all great schools. My son visited and was accepted Bowdoin. Bates is also a winner. Sports, camping, cross country, skiing, crew, they are all big at Bates and Bowdoin. You get lots of personal attention at Bates and Bowdoin. Your student will do well there. The support is very good. Bates! They are all very close in quality. It is personal preference and fit from here. Your student will not miss out on any opportunities. They are all elite great schools. Congrats! Bates!
My son ended up going to a larger elite school. But Bates would have been a great place too. Here are some people that went to Bates. Pretty good list for a small school. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Bates_College_people