College of the Atlantic vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Vassar College 7:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($21,829 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 43% lower than at Vassar College ($10,404 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 48% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $23,033 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48% higher at Vassar than at College of the Atlantic (about $23,033 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Vassar College (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 57.7% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($57,443 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 160 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; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

College of the Atlantic vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Vassar College earn a median of about $30,200 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $3,970 lower median loan debt than College of the Atlantic graduates ($15,780 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Atlantic graduates ($163 vs. $204).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.