College of the Atlantic vs. University of Southern Maine

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern Maine is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (7,604 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 Southern Maine is in Portland, ME (Small City setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern Maine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; University of Southern Maine 14:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. University of Southern Maine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or University of Southern Maine? 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 University of Southern Maine than College of the Atlantic ($14,028 vs. $21,829).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 15.3% lower than at University of Southern Maine ($10,404 vs. $12,280).
• College of the Atlantic is 325.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Southern Maine (about $36,713 more per year; $47,997.00 vs. $11,284.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.8% higher at College of the Atlantic than at University of Southern Maine (about $20,053 more per year; $47,997.00 vs. $27,944.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at University of Southern Maine (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Atlantic students is 225.7% larger than aid received by University of Southern Maine students ($36,437 vs. $11,188).

College of the Atlantic vs. University of Southern Maine Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Atlantic (1340) is 220 points higher than at University of Southern Maine (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Atlantic 1240/1430; University of Southern Maine 990/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Southern Maine 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; University of Southern Maine - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman College of the Atlantic students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at University of Southern Maine (3.33).
• University of Southern Maine has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than College of the Atlantic (70.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 15.3% at University of Southern Maine.

College of the Atlantic vs. University of Southern Maine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for College of the Atlantic and University of Southern Maine? 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 Southern Maine's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Southern Maine earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Maine graduates ($19,750 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Maine graduates ($204 vs. $232).
• More College of the Atlantic graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Southern Maine students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 64%)

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.