College of the Atlantic vs. SUNY Stony Brook

Comparable Facts

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

Stony Brook University is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Stony Brook University is in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Stony Brook University 19:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. SUNY Stony Brook Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or SUNY Stony Brook? 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 Stony Brook University than College of the Atlantic ($20,992 vs. $21,829).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 42.8% lower than at Stony Brook University ($10,404 vs. $18,196).
• College of the Atlantic is 339.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $37,066 more per year; $47,997.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.6% higher at College of the Atlantic than at Stony Brook University (about $15,256 more per year; $47,997.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Stony Brook University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Atlantic students is 292.4% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($36,437 vs. $9,285).

College of the Atlantic vs. SUNY Stony Brook Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stony Brook University (1420) is 80 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; Stony Brook University 1330/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsStony Brook University 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than SUNY Stony Brook (49%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook.

College of the Atlantic vs. SUNY Stony Brook Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for College of the Atlantic and SUNY Stony Brook? 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 Stony Brook University's (67%).
• Graduates from Stony Brook University earn a median of about $31,100 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stony Brook University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than College of the Atlantic graduates ($19,000 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Stony Brook graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Atlantic graduates ($196 vs. $204).
• More College of the Atlantic graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Stony Brook students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 73%)

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.