College of the Atlantic vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

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

Wellesley College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

College of the Atlantic vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Wellesley? 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 Wellesley ($21,829 vs. $22,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 50.5% lower than at Wellesley College ($10,404 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 40% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $19,179 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40% higher at Wellesley than at College of the Atlantic (about $19,179 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Wellesley College (100% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 76% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($64,116 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 170 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; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley 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 Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

College of the Atlantic vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $39,900 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $10,850 lower median loan debt than College of the Atlantic graduates ($8,900 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Atlantic graduates ($92 vs. $204).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.