College of the Atlantic vs. Northeastern

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. Northeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Northeastern? 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 Northeastern ($21,829 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 46.9% lower than at Northeastern University ($10,404 vs. $19,580).
• Northeastern University is 37.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $18,165 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.8% higher at Northeastern than at College of the Atlantic (about $18,165 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Northeastern University (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 38.4% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($50,421 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. Northeastern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University (1490) is 150 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; Northeastern University 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNortheastern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Northeastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

College of the Atlantic vs. Northeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Northeastern University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $41,300 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $8,125 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($204 vs. $288).
• More Northeastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.