Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More
Bar Harbor , ME
The College of the Atlantic is a unique institution located on the rugged coast of Bar Harbor, Maine. Founded in 1969, it was the first college in the United States to focus exclusively on the study of human ecology. The college offers a distinctive interdisciplinary curriculum for undergraduate students, emphasizing the relationship between humans and the environment. With a small student population of just over 300, the college provides an intimate and collaborative learning environment that encourages students to become innovative problem solvers and changemakers.
At the College of the Atlantic, all students develop their own major, allowing them to customize their education to suit their individual interests and goals. The curriculum revolves around three areas of concentration: human ecology, arts and design, and global studies. Through these concentrations, students explore topics such as sustainability, environmental justice, conservation biology, literature, and international relations. The college also places great emphasis on experiential learning, and all students are required to complete an off-campus internship or conduct original research in their area of interest.
One of the hallmarks of the College of the Atlantic is its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The campus, nestled in the breathtaking Acadia National Park, is powered entirely by wind and solar energy. Moreover, the college offers numerous programs and initiatives focused on sustainability, ranging from sustainable agriculture and renewable energy studies to food justice and marine policy. With its strong focus on holistic education, sustainability, and promoting positive environmental change, the College of the Atlantic continues to be a leading institution in the field of human ecology.
College of the Atlantic is a private four-year college located in Bar Harbor, ME and set in a rural environment. This institution follows a trimester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 70%. The freshman retention rate at College of the Atlantic is 85% and the six-year graduation rate is 69%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is February 1. The transfer application deadline is March 15.
Read more about what you can expect if you get into College of the Atlantic.
Quick Facts
353
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$48,915
Tuition
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
69%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the university in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. Here are the most relevant information you should know about admission policy and requirements at College of the Atlantic.
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 334 in 2025. College of the Atlantic has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
21% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 4% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 31% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 56% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 13% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 33 and 67 between 24-29.
The ACT composite average score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 29 while the average GPA was 3.8. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance, and the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 692 and an average SAT Math score of 658.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by February 1. If you are applying for a transfer, note that the application deadline is March 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, don't forget to consider the freshmen retention rate.
The freshman retention rate for College of the Atlantic was 85% in 2025, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 69%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. Gaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at College of the Atlantic in 2025 was 358.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 86. There was a total of 353 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 76 international students. The school reported to have a total of 19 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 97 male and 249 female full-time students in 2025, which is indicative of the importance this institution places on gender equality. This school had 2 full-time graduate male and 1 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 4, while the number of African American students was 2. 15 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 8 as multirace. There were also 6 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some important information on College of the Atlantic costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $48,915 in 2025. College of the Atlantic is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $549 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated expense of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $600.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at College of the Atlantic was $10,716 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school totaled $6,786, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $6,786.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 48,915 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,716 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 600 |
| Total Expense | $ 60,231 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for a number of students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at College of the Atlantic.
The most recent records show that 73 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $38,959 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
283 students were awarded some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at College of the Atlantic is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 283. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $552,386, and state $71,130. The students of College of the Atlantic received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $9,246,077, and external in the amount of $145,707.
$12,844
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 15 students overall (including freshmen) at College of the Atlantic in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 2 full-time freshmen. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $835,883. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $11,053 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
Majors
Faculty
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at College of the Atlantic was 10:1: that means 10 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The faculty of this school consists of 58 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 32 men and 26 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about campus life at College of the Atlantic.
It has a campus size of 35 acres.
Student Organizations
Participating in different student organizations can make your educational experience more interesting and fulfilling.
The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is Water Polo Club, followed by American Sign Language Club and Outing Club. Other popular student organizations at this school are Anime Club and Coffee House Club.
In case you're interested in acting, there is a drama club you can consider joining.
Student Services
College of the Atlantic has a number of services important for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services are available to the students of College of the Atlantic.
All in all, campus life at College of the Atlantic is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at College of the Atlantic.
Career Counselling
At College of the Atlantic, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library and a job bank. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME.
-
College of the Atlantic offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
According to the latest information, the tuition for College of the Atlantic is 48,915 USD a year.
-
This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
-
The most recent reported acceptance rate for College of the Atlantic is 70%.
-
The most recent reported freshman retention rate for College of the Atlantic is 85%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.