College of the Atlantic vs. MIT

Comparable Facts

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

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Massachusetts Institute of Technology is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. MIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or MIT? 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than College of the Atlantic ($20,996 vs. $21,829).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 48.7% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($10,404 vs. $20,280).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is 30% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $14,399 more per year; $62,396.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30% higher at MIT than at College of the Atlantic (about $14,399 more per year; $62,396.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 69.4% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($61,734 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. MIT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (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; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMassachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; MIT - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; MIT Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 85.8% at MIT.

College of the Atlantic vs. MIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $113,900 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $2,434 lower median loan debt than College of the Atlantic graduates ($17,316 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Atlantic graduates ($179 vs. $204).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.