College of the Atlantic vs. Bates

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, ME with Bates College in Lewiston, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bates College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (1,760 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Bates College is in Lewiston, ME (Small City setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bates College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Bates College 9:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. Bates Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Bates? 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 Bates ($21,829 vs. $24,723).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 44.6% lower than at Bates College ($10,404 vs. $18,780).
• Bates College is 38.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $18,593 more per year; $66,590.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.7% higher at Bates than at College of the Atlantic (about $18,593 more per year; $66,590.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Bates College (100% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bates College students is 61.4% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($58,809 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. Bates Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, College of the Atlantic or Bates? 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 Bates and College of the Atlantic.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bates College (1480) is 140 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; Bates College 1420/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBates College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Bates - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Bates Jan 1, 2027.
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than Bates (13.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 36.5% at Bates.

College of the Atlantic vs. Bates Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for College of the Atlantic and Bates? 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).

• Bates College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Bates College earn a median of about $47,500 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,700 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates College graduates have a $5,300 lower median loan debt than College of the Atlantic graduates ($14,450 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Bates graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Atlantic graduates ($149 vs. $204).
• More Bates graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.