College of the Atlantic vs. Bowdoin College

Comparable Facts

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

Bowdoin College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Bowdoin College is in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Bowdoin College 9:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. Bowdoin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Bowdoin 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 Bowdoin College ($21,829 vs. $22,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 43.7% lower than at Bowdoin College ($10,404 vs. $18,488).
• Bowdoin College is 41.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $19,835 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.3% higher at Bowdoin College than at College of the Atlantic (about $19,835 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Bowdoin College (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 72.5% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($62,872 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. Bowdoin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowdoin College (1510) is 170 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; Bowdoin College 1470/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBowdoin College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Bowdoin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027.
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 53.6% at Bowdoin College.

College of the Atlantic vs. Bowdoin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Bowdoin College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $46,800 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $917 lower median loan debt than College of the Atlantic graduates ($18,833 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Atlantic graduates ($194 vs. $204).
• More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.