College of the Atlantic vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

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

Williams College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (2,164 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Atlantic 9:1; Williams College 6:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic or Williams? 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 Williams College than College of the Atlantic ($15,894 vs. $21,829).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 39.7% lower than at Williams College ($10,404 vs. $17,260).
• Williams College is 42.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $20,563 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.8% higher at Williams than at College of the Atlantic (about $20,563 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Williams College (100% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 89.3% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($68,966 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. Williams Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 190 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; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWilliams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams 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 Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 43% at Williams.

College of the Atlantic vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $45,400 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $5,168 lower median loan debt than College of the Atlantic graduates ($14,582 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Atlantic graduates ($150 vs. $204).
• More Williams 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.