Wheaton College vs. College of the Atlantic

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); College of the Atlantic is in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting).
• Wheaton 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: Wheaton College 10:1; College of the Atlantic 9:1.

Wheaton College vs. College of the Atlantic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton 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 Wheaton College ($21,829 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 20% lower than at Wheaton College ($10,404 vs. $13,010).
• College of the Atlantic is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $2,451 more per year; $47,997.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at College of the Atlantic than at Wheaton College (about $2,451 more per year; $47,997.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Wheaton College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Atlantic students is 30.2% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($36,437 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. College of the Atlantic Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton 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 Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 30 points higher than at College of the Atlantic (1340).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; College of the Atlantic 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; College of the Atlantic - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than College of the Atlantic (70.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 23.4% at College of the Atlantic.

Wheaton College vs. College of the Atlantic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College earn a median of about $26,100 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College graduates ($19,750 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College graduates ($204 vs. $232).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.