College of the Atlantic vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Dickinson 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 Dickinson College ($21,829 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 39.2% lower than at Dickinson College ($10,404 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 36.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $17,653 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.8% higher at Dickinson College than at College of the Atlantic (about $17,653 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Dickinson College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 22.1% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($44,479 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 50 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; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

College of the Atlantic vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Dickinson College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $33,800 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($204 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.