College of the Atlantic vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

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

Muhlenberg College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

College of the Atlantic vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg College ($21,829 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 28.5% lower than at Muhlenberg College ($10,404 vs. $14,548).
• Muhlenberg College is 30.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $14,808 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.9% higher at Muhlenberg College than at College of the Atlantic (about $14,808 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Muhlenberg College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 16.8% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($42,545 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Atlantic (1340) is 10 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Atlantic 1240/1430; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMuhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman College of the Atlantic students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than College of the Atlantic (70.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

College of the Atlantic vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Muhlenberg College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $35,500 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $6,740 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($204 vs. $273).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.