College of the Atlantic vs. Colby College

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

College of the Atlantic vs. Colby College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Colby 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 Colby College than College of the Atlantic ($16,219 vs. $21,829).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 41.8% lower than at Colby College ($10,404 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 45% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $21,603 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45% higher at Colby College than at College of the Atlantic (about $21,603 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Colby College (100% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 89.9% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($69,201 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. Colby College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 170 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; Colby College 1460/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColby College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Colby College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Colby College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 46.2% at Colby College.

College of the Atlantic vs. Colby College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Colby College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $45,200 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $405 lower median loan debt than College of the Atlantic graduates ($19,345 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Atlantic graduates ($200 vs. $204).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.