Colorado College vs. College of the Atlantic

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (2,056 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colorado College vs. College of the Atlantic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado College or College of the Atlantic? 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 Colorado College ($21,829 vs. $36,123).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 35.1% lower than at Colorado College ($10,404 vs. $16,020).
• Colorado College is 47.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $22,737 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.4% higher at Colorado College than at College of the Atlantic (about $22,737 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Colorado College (100% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 39.5% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($50,834 vs. $36,437).

Colorado College vs. College of the Atlantic Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado College (1350) is 10 points higher than at College of the Atlantic (1340).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 1230/1460; College of the Atlantic 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado College - Test optional; College of the Atlantic - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027; College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than Colorado College (18.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Colorado College vs. 23.4% at College of the Atlantic.

Colorado College vs. College of the Atlantic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Colorado College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Colorado College earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Colorado College graduates ($19,750 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado College graduates ($204 vs. $211).
• More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.