College of the Atlantic
- Graduation Rate
- 69% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $40,264 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $25,184 D
- 47% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 70% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $13.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,241,068.
What The Data Says
-
A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why College of the Atlantic Matters
College of the Atlantic is a private liberal arts college in Bar Harbor, ME and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 353
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities
Why students choose College of the Atlantic
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 70% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1240–1430. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $25,184 a year after grants and scholarships — 47% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $40,264 ten years after enrolling — 1% below the typical college, against $25,050 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.58 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just 353 students, College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, offers a tight-knit community that appeals to those looking for an intimate educational experience. The acceptance rate stands at 70%, which provides a welcoming environment for diverse students. Many here focus on humanities, diving deep into areas like literature, philosophy, and environmental studies, fostering critical thinking and a broader understanding of the world.
Looking at life after graduation, students who earn a degree from College of the Atlantic can expect to make around $40,264 annually within ten years. This figure highlights a promising return on investment for many graduates, especially considering the affordability of the school. The cost after aid comes to $25,184, making it accessible for a range of students. While 28% of students receive Pell Grants, it's clear that a strong support system exists for those who might need it.
When it comes to financing their education, students graduate with a median debt of $25,050. This manageable debt load suggests that students can thrive without being burdened excessively by loans. Those who tend to excel here are often driven by a passion for humanities and a desire to make a difference, making the most of the unique educational opportunities this college offers.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective College of the Atlantic is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into College of the Atlantic? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Bar Harbor, Maine, College of the Atlantic admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 70%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,370. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 70%
- Retention Rate
- 85%
- SAT Average
- 1370
- SAT Range
- 1240–1430
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,002
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.48
- Applicants
- 486
- Admitted
- 292
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend College of the Atlantic? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at College of the Atlantic is $47,997, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $25,184. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,415 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,050 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $47,997
- Out-of-State
- $47,997
- Avg Net Price
- $25,184
- Median Debt
- $25,050
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 53%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $20,415
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,942
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,650
- Family Income $110K+
- $34,684
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is College of the Atlantic Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of College of the Atlantic report median earnings of $40,264, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 8 Years
- $34,650
- 10 Years
- $40,264
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.62x
- Earning > $25K
- 37%
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (42)
- 53%
- 100% (42)
- 53%
- 100% (42)
- 53%
- 100% (42)
- 53%
How College Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is College of the Atlantic Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, College of the Atlantic delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $25,184/year ($100,736 total). Graduates earn $40,264 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,341,804 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,241,068 (13.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,050, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 69% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $100,736
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,341,804
- Net Return
- $1,241,068
- ROI Multiple
- 13.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $25,184
- Median Debt
- $25,050
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,528,741
- Investment Income
- $-14,261,029
Top Programs
The fields College of the Atlantic awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 100%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for College of the Atlantic's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into College of the Atlantic? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Bar Harbor, Maine, College of the Atlantic admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 70%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,370. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend College of the Atlantic? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at College of the Atlantic is $47,997, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $25,184. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,415 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,050 in federal student loans.
Is College of the Atlantic Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of College of the Atlantic report median earnings of $40,264, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is College of the Atlantic? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at College of the Atlantic. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 30% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to College of the Atlantic.
- Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological SeminaryAnkeny, IA · Close peer64% grad $40,650 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Hannibal-LaGrange UniversityHannibal, MO · Close peer47% grad $42,643 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Hollins UniversityRoanoke, VA · Close peer67% grad $40,075 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Maine College of Art & DesignPortland, ME · Close peer50% grad $40,778 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Stephens CollegeColumbia, MO · Close peer45% grad $43,071 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Warner Pacific UniversityPortland, OR · Close peer66% grad $55,204 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is College of the Atlantic? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at College of the Atlantic. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 30% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note