College of the Atlantic vs. BU

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Boston University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Boston University 10:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. BU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or BU? 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 BU ($21,829 vs. $24,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 45.3% lower than at Boston University ($10,404 vs. $19,020).
• Boston University is 41.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $20,105 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.9% higher at BU than at College of the Atlantic (about $20,105 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Boston University (100% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 69.7% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($61,848 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. BU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (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; Boston University 1420/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBoston University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; BU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; BU Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 37.4% at BU.

College of the Atlantic vs. BU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Boston University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $43,800 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.