College of the Atlantic: 60.1% Acceptance Rate

60.1%Acceptance

$46,179Tuition

358Students

69%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$40,264Earnings

#19 in MainePrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindLiberal ArtsStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About College of the Atlantic

College of the Atlantic operates on a radical premise that traditional academic departments limit learning. All 358 students create their own interdisciplinary major centered on human ecology, exploring how humans interact with their environment. This approach attracts students to a remote coastal campus in Bar Harbor, where the 10:1 student-faculty ratio enables deeply personalized education.

The financial picture reflects both the school's boutique nature and generous aid policies. While sticker price hits $56,880, students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $11,886 after aid. Graduates carry a median debt of $25,050, which translates to monthly payments of $266. Ten years out, alumni earn a median of $40,264. The numbers suggest a challenging return on investment, though the school's unique mission attracts students prioritizing environmental work over high salaries.

The student body skews heavily female at 71.51% and draws nationally, with only 22.89% from Maine. The trimester system allows for intensive study and extensive fieldwork. With just 204 beds for 358 students, housing is tight. The 69.20% six-year graduation rate reflects the demanding, self-directed curriculum that some students find overwhelming despite the intimate setting.

Academics & Faculty

College of the Atlantic pioneered the human ecology approach, where all 358 students design their own interdisciplinary major rather than choosing from traditional departments. This liberal arts college requires every student to integrate environmental science, social sciences, and humanities into their personalized curriculum. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio enables intensive mentorship as students craft unique academic paths combining fields like marine biology, sustainable agriculture, and environmental policy. Faculty work closely with students on independent research projects and community-based learning. The 64% four-year graduation rate reflects the demanding, self-directed nature of designing your own major while maintaining rigorous academic standards in this experimental educational model.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 64.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 69.2%
Retention Rate: 83.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $40,264
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General.	Bachelor	$16,920

View all 4 programs →

Campus Life

The 358-student campus sits on Mount Desert Island, where 57% of students live in dorms that house just 204 people total. Bar Harbor puts you three hours from Portland and five from Boston, meaning winter coats are essential for the long Maine winters that stretch into April. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate atmosphere where professors know your name and your self-designed major.

Weekends revolve around Acadia National Park next door and the working waterfront of Bar Harbor. Students hike, sea kayak, and forage for their human ecology projects year-round. The trimester system creates intense academic sprints with meaningful breaks. With 72% women and a strong environmental focus, campus culture skews outdoorsy and collaborative rather than competitive. Many students work on organic farms, marine research, or sustainable food systems as part of their studies. The small size means everyone knows everyone, and the rural setting creates a tight-knit community where students often cook together and organize their own entertainment.

Setting: Rural-Remote
Housing Capacity: 204 beds
Calendar System: Trimester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1969

Campus Safety (2023)

11 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus
Fondling	4	4	0
Domestic Violence	0	0	1
Rape	0	0	1
Stalking	1	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 13°–31°F
July Avg: 59°–79°F
Annual Precipitation: 56.7"
Annual Snowfall: -705.9"

Student Demographics

College of the Atlantic draws students from across the country who are passionate about environmental issues and social justice. Women make up 71% of the student body, reflecting the college's focus on human ecology and sustainability fields that traditionally attract more female students. About three-quarters of students come from out of state, showing the school's national appeal despite its remote Maine location. The college serves a mix of economic backgrounds, with 27% receiving Pell Grants. Students here share a commitment to interdisciplinary learning and creating their own academic paths around environmental problem-solving.

Men: 28.5%
Women: 71.5%
White: 67.3%
Black: 0.3%
Hispanic: 6.2%
Asian: 1.4%
In-State Students: 22.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 26.5%

Location

College of the Atlantic sits in Bar Harbor, Maine, roughly 280 miles northeast of Boston. The campus occupies 35 acres on Mount Desert Island, sharing the landscape with Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor transforms from a quiet fishing village of 5,500 year-round residents to a bustling tourist destination during summer months. Students walk to rocky coastlines and hiking trails within minutes of campus. The college draws 77% of its students from out of state, many attracted to this unique intersection of wilderness and academics. Winter enrollment drops as some students take advantage of the trimester system for internships. Students considering colleges in Maine may also compare College of the Atlantic with similar schools in the region.

Address: Bar Harbor, Maine 04609

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $40,264
Median Earnings (5 years): $36,037
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $20,500
Loan Repayment Rate: 77.1%
Monthly Loan Payment: $266/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $25,050

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at College of the Atlantic?

College of the Atlantic admits 60% of applicants, making it moderately selective. The school attracts students passionate about environmental and social issues who want to design their own academic path through human ecology.

How much does College of the Atlantic cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $24,028 after aid, despite the $46,179 sticker price. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $11,886, reflecting the college's commitment to accessibility.

What makes the academics unique at College of the Atlantic?

Every student creates their own interdisciplinary major within the human ecology framework, exploring connections between humans and their environment. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive intensive mentorship to design meaningful coursework.

What are the career outcomes for College of the Atlantic graduates?

Graduates earn a median salary of $40,264 ten years after graduation, with 91.5% finding employment. The school's focus on environmental and social change attracts students more interested in mission-driven work than high salaries.

Where do students live at College of the Atlantic?

The campus houses 204 students in a tight-knit community of just 358 total enrollment. Located in Bar Harbor, students have direct access to Acadia National Park and Maine's rugged coastline for hands-on environmental learning.

Is College of the Atlantic diverse in terms of gender and geography?

Women make up 71% of the student body, reflecting strong interest in the college's environmental and social justice mission. Only 23% of students come from Maine, with the rest drawn nationally to this unique academic experiment.