College of the Atlantic vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

Providence College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Providence College 11:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Providence? 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 Providence ($21,829 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 41.7% lower than at Providence College ($10,404 vs. $17,840).
• Providence College is 32.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $15,553 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.4% higher at Providence than at College of the Atlantic (about $15,553 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Providence College (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Atlantic students is 14.3% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($36,437 vs. $31,873).

College of the Atlantic vs. Providence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Atlantic (1340) is 20 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Atlantic 1240/1430; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsProvidence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman College of the Atlantic students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Providence (3.47).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than Providence (50.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 19.2% at Providence.

College of the Atlantic vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Providence College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Providence College earn a median of about $39,800 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,000 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 Providence 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 Providence graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More Providence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.