College of the Atlantic vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Union College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (2,065 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

College of the Atlantic vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Union 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 Union College ($21,829 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 38.8% lower than at Union College ($10,404 vs. $17,010).
• Union College is 43.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $21,042 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.8% higher at Union College than at College of the Atlantic (about $21,042 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Union College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 16.7% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($42,534 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. Union College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 60 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; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUnion College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman College of the Atlantic students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Union College (3.5).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 13.9% at Union College.

College of the Atlantic vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Union College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $46,000 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.