College of the Atlantic vs. MSOE

Comparable Facts

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

Milwaukee School of Engineering is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (2,953 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or MSOE? 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 MSOE ($21,829 vs. $25,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 25.6% lower than at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($10,404 vs. $13,984).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $2,483 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at MSOE than at College of the Atlantic (about $2,483 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic as at Milwaukee School of Engineering (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 1.5% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($36,997 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Atlantic (1340) is 60 points higher than at MSOE (1280).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Atlantic 1240/1430; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMilwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; MSOE - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman College of the Atlantic students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at MSOE (3.65).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than MSOE (58.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

College of the Atlantic vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for College of the Atlantic and MSOE? 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $40,700 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 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 MSOE 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 MSOE graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More MSOE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.