College of the Atlantic vs. UMass

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); University of Massachusetts Amherst is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. UMass Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or UMass? 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 UMass ($21,829 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 37.7% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($10,404 vs. $16,710).
• College of the Atlantic is 170.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $30,225 more per year; $47,997.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.7% higher at College of the Atlantic than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $7,548 more per year; $47,997.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Atlantic students is 177.9% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($36,437 vs. $13,110).

College of the Atlantic vs. UMass Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 70 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; University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; UMass - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 17.9% at UMass.

College of the Atlantic vs. UMass Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• College of the Atlantic's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $27,000 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($19,750 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($204 vs. $248).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.