College of the Atlantic vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, ME with The University of the South in Sewanee, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of the South is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (1,724 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

College of the Atlantic vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee ($21,829 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 35.1% lower than at The University of the South ($10,404 vs. $16,028).
• The University of the South is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $8,123 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.9% higher at Sewanee than at College of the Atlantic (about $8,123 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at The University of the South (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of the South students is 2% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($37,171 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Atlantic (1340) is 10 points higher than at Sewanee (1330).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Atlantic 1240/1430; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThe University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than Sewanee (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

College of the Atlantic vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from The University of the South earn a median of about $21,600 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than College of the Atlantic graduates ($19,000 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Atlantic graduates ($196 vs. $204).
• More Sewanee 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.