College of the Atlantic vs. Emerson

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Emerson College 14:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. Emerson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Emerson? 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 Emerson ($21,829 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 50.3% lower than at Emerson College ($10,404 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 18.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $9,059 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.9% higher at Emerson than at College of the Atlantic (about $9,059 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Atlantic students is 35% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($36,437 vs. $26,997).

College of the Atlantic vs. Emerson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 10 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; Emerson College 1270/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsEmerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Emerson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

College of the Atlantic vs. Emerson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Emerson College earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($19,750 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($204 vs. $242).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.