Skip to content

College of the Atlantic vs Colby College

College of the Atlantic is a private college in Bar Harbor, ME. Colby College is a private college in Waterville, ME. Colby College admits about 7% of applicants and College of the Atlantic about 70%, making Colby College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $17,180 a year at Colby College after aid, and about $25,184 at College of the Atlantic. About 89% of students graduate at Colby College, compared with 69% at College of the Atlantic. Ten years after enrolling, Colby College alumni earn a median of about $80,490, against $40,264 for College of the Atlantic.

College of the Atlantic

Bar Harbor, ME · Private

Colby College

Waterville, ME · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Bar Harbor, ME
Waterville, ME
Setting
Rural
Suburban
Undergraduates
353
2,407
Acceptance rate
70%
7%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.52–4
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1240–1430
1460–1550
ACT (middle 50%)
28–32
32–34
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$25,184
$17,180
Full cost / yr
$58,266
$85,420
In-state tuition
$47,997
$69,600
Out-of-state tuition
$47,997
$69,600
Application fee
$0
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$20,415
$4,049
$30k - $48k
$13,942
$1,251
$48k - $75k
$16,650
$3,666
$75k - $110k
$26,266
$12,106
Over $110k
$34,684
$46,511
Outcomes
Graduation rate
69%
89%
Freshman retention
85%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
Not reported
$60,052
Median earnings (10 yr)
$40,264
$80,490
Median debt at graduation
$25,050
$19,157
Student body
Pell grant recipients
28%
14%
First-generation students
Not reported
11%
International students
22%
11%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Nov 15
Early action
Dec 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Feb 1
Jan 4

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 Colby College harder to get into?
Colby 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 Colby College?
Colby College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,180 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 Colby College?
Before aid, College of the Atlantic costs about $58,266 a year and Colby College about $85,420. 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 Colby College?
Colby College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,049 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 Colby College?
Colby College is the larger of the two, with about 2,407 undergraduates against 353 at College of the Atlantic.
Does College of the Atlantic or Colby College have a better graduation rate?
Colby College has the higher graduation rate, at about 89% against 69% at College of the Atlantic.
Do graduates of College of the Atlantic or Colby College earn more?
Colby College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $80,490 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 Colby College require SAT or ACT scores?
College of the Atlantic is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Colby College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do College of the Atlantic and Colby College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1240–1430 at College of the Atlantic and 1460–1550 at Colby College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school