College of the Atlantic vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, ME with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or RPI? 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 RPI ($21,829 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 42.6% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($10,404 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 33.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $16,084 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.5% higher at RPI than at College of the Atlantic (about $16,084 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 19.4% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($43,517 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 100 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; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 12.1% at RPI.

College of the Atlantic vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $54,300 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($204 vs. $284).
• More RPI 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.