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College of the Atlantic vs Bowdoin College

College of the Atlantic is a private college in Bar Harbor, ME. Bowdoin College is a private college in Brunswick, ME. Bowdoin College admits about 7% of applicants and College of the Atlantic about 70%, making Bowdoin College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $14,398 a year at Bowdoin College after aid, and about $25,184 at College of the Atlantic. About 95% of students graduate at Bowdoin College, compared with 69% at College of the Atlantic. Ten years after enrolling, Bowdoin College alumni earn a median of about $82,735, against $40,264 for College of the Atlantic.

College of the Atlantic

Bar Harbor, ME · Private

Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Bar Harbor, ME
Brunswick, ME
Setting
Rural
Suburban
Undergraduates
353
1,873
Acceptance rate
70%
7%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.52–4
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1240–1430
1470–1550
ACT (middle 50%)
28–32
33–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$25,184
$14,398
Full cost / yr
$58,266
$85,100
In-state tuition
$47,997
$67,832
Out-of-state tuition
$47,997
$67,832
Application fee
$0
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$20,415
$3,145
$30k - $48k
$13,942
$2,800
$48k - $75k
$16,650
$9,007
$75k - $110k
$26,266
$13,801
Over $110k
$34,684
$35,196
Outcomes
Graduation rate
69%
95%
Freshman retention
85%
97%
Median earnings (6 yr)
Not reported
$61,692
Median earnings (10 yr)
$40,264
$82,735
Median debt at graduation
$25,050
$18,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
28%
17%
First-generation students
Not reported
19%
International students
22%
7%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Nov 15
Early action
Dec 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Feb 1
Jan 5

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is College of the Atlantic or Bowdoin College harder to get into?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 70% at College of the Atlantic. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, College of the Atlantic or Bowdoin College?
Bowdoin College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,398 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $25,184 at College of the Atlantic. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at College of the Atlantic and Bowdoin College?
Before aid, College of the Atlantic costs about $58,266 a year and Bowdoin College about $85,100. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, College of the Atlantic or Bowdoin College?
Bowdoin College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $3,145 there, against about $20,415 at College of the Atlantic. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, College of the Atlantic or Bowdoin College?
Bowdoin College is the larger of the two, with about 1,873 undergraduates against 353 at College of the Atlantic.
Does College of the Atlantic or Bowdoin College have a better graduation rate?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, at about 95% against 69% at College of the Atlantic.
Do graduates of College of the Atlantic or Bowdoin College earn more?
Bowdoin College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $82,735 ten years after enrolling, against about $40,264 for College of the Atlantic. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do College of the Atlantic and Bowdoin College require SAT or ACT scores?
College of the Atlantic is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Bowdoin College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do College of the Atlantic and Bowdoin College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1240–1430 at College of the Atlantic and 1470–1550 at Bowdoin College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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