College of the Atlantic vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, ME with Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bard College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Bard College 9:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Bard College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of the Atlantic than Bard College ($21,829 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 44.8% lower than at Bard College ($10,404 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 38.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $18,439 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.4% higher at Bard College than at College of the Atlantic (about $18,439 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Bard College (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 51.6% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($55,235 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, College of the Atlantic or Bard College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bard College and College of the Atlantic.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 20 points higher than at College of the Atlantic (1340).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Atlantic 1240/1430; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than Bard College (52.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

College of the Atlantic vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for College of the Atlantic and Bard College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Bard College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Bard College earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $6,444 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($204 vs. $270).
• More Bard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.