College of the Atlantic vs. Harvard

Comparable Facts

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

Harvard University is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Harvard University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Harvard University 7:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. Harvard Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Harvard? 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 Harvard University than College of the Atlantic ($17,525 vs. $21,829).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 50.9% lower than at Harvard University ($10,404 vs. $21,190).
• Harvard University is 28.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $13,679 more per year; $61,676.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.5% higher at Harvard than at College of the Atlantic (about $13,679 more per year; $61,676.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Harvard University (100% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 86.7% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($68,015 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. Harvard Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvard University (1550) is 210 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; Harvard University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsHarvard University 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Harvard - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Harvard Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Harvard students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than Harvard (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 83.6% at Harvard.

College of the Atlantic vs. Harvard Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Harvard University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Harvard University earn a median of about $108,500 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($136,700 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $13,250 lower median loan debt than College of the Atlantic graduates ($6,500 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Atlantic graduates ($67 vs. $204).
• More College of the Atlantic graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 70%)

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.