College of the Atlantic vs. MHC

Comparable Facts

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

Mount Holyoke College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (2,275 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

College of the Atlantic vs. MHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or MHC? 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 MHC ($21,829 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 47.1% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($10,404 vs. $19,684).
• Mount Holyoke College is 39.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $19,021 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.6% higher at MHC than at College of the Atlantic (about $19,021 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Mount Holyoke College (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 43.9% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($52,418 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. MHC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 120 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; Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMount Holyoke College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; MHC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; MHC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than MHC (36%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 27.2% at MHC.

College of the Atlantic vs. MHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Mount Holyoke College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Mount Holyoke College earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $1,456 lower median loan debt than MHC graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,206).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MHC graduates ($204 vs. $219).
• More MHC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.