College of the Atlantic is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Bar Harbor, Maine. It enrolls 353 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorNew England Commission on Higher Education
Academic CalendarTrimester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
62/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes73
Value8
Affordability33
Selectivity74
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 70.2%, College of the Atlantic is moderately selective.
Acceptance Rate
70.2%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1240 – 1430
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether College of the Atlantic is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Getting more selective ↓
7.0 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending College of the Atlantic isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $25,184 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$25,184
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
28%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
53%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$47,997
Room & Board (on-campus)
$10,404
Room & Board (off-campus)
$5,997
Books & Supplies
$600
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$1,386
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$1,386
Total Cost of Attendance
$58,266
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$20,415
$30,001 – $48,000
$13,942
$48,001 – $75,000
$16,650
$75,001 – $110,000
$26,266
Over $110,000
$34,684
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,08310%percentile
$7,00025%percentile
$25,050Medianpercentile
$24,69375%percentile
$28,13590%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $20,167
↓ $4,883
No Pell $13,651
↓ $11,399
Female students $16,468
↓ $8,582
Male students $23,751
↓ $1,299
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $7,972, less than completers ($25,050), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
46% of full-time students who enrolled at College of the Atlantic graduate within six years, and 84% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
46%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
84%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered College of the Atlantic earn a median of $40,264 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$40,264
Earning > $25K
66%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Stable ↓
2.3 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 81% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
College of the Atlantic is home to 353 students, an intimate, close-knit community.
Total Enrolled
353
Part-Time
3%
First-Generation
—
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 68.6%242
International 21.5%76
Hispanic 4.3%15
Other 2.3%8
Asian 1.1%4
Black 0.6%2
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at College of the Atlantic. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Rural: RemoteBar Harbor, Maine
Housing
Mostly residential204 beds on campus
Adult Learners
6%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Trimesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
College of the Atlantic offers
a focused set of programs:
2 distinct programs across
1 major.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at College of the Atlantic is 10:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
10:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$126M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$80,621
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
31 instructional faculty across 1 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
31
100%
$80,621
Pros & Cons of College of the Atlantic
A quick at-a-glance summary of how College of the Atlantic tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
CONS
Above-average net price
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Below-average completion rate
Earnings outcomes are on the lower side
Narrow program catalog compared to mid-sized peers
Best for:
Based on the data, College of the Atlantic is a fit for
students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about College of the Atlantic
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about College of the Atlantic.
Is College of the Atlantic hard to get into?
Admissions at College of the Atlantic are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 70.2%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at College of the Atlantic?
College of the Atlantic has an acceptance rate of 70.2%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for College of the Atlantic?
The middle 50% of admitted students at College of the Atlantic scored between 1240 and 1430 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
How much does College of the Atlantic cost?
The average net price after aid at College of the Atlantic is $25,184 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is College of the Atlantic worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $40,264 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $25,184 per year. That's roughly 1.6x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is College of the Atlantic known for?
College of the Atlantic is best known for its programs in Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do College of the Atlantic graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering College of the Atlantic are $40,264, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is College of the Atlantic accredited?
Yes. College of the Atlantic is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
How many students attend College of the Atlantic?
College of the Atlantic enrolls 353 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at College of the Atlantic?
College of the Atlantic graduates 46% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is College of the Atlantic a public or private college?
College of the Atlantic is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is College of the Atlantic located?
College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, Maine.
What programs does College of the Atlantic offer?
College of the Atlantic offers 2 distinct programs. The most popular include Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at College of the Atlantic?
The student-to-faculty ratio at College of the Atlantic is 10:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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