College of the Atlantic
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
Data last updated: August 29, 2026
Close-knit campus
College of the Atlantic is a private rural institution in Bar Harbor, Maine. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.
A small campus of 358 undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.
69% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $40,264 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $24,028.
More About This School
History & Fun Facts
- •Hahn founded the college as a practical response to the search for new and peaceful solutions in a post-war world riven by political, racial and economic divisions.
- •In 1978, Mountbatten passed the Presidency to his great-nephew, the then Prince of Wales Charles.
- •Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom was a Patron of the college, from its early days until her death in 2022.
- •^ Sutcliffe, David (1983), The First Twenty Years of the United World Colleges, vol.
Source: Wikipedia
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Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Admissions
Application Platforms
Early Decision (Binding)
December 1
Decision by mid-December
Aid deadline: December 1
Early Decision II (Binding)
January 15
Decision by early February
Regular Decision
February 15
Decision by April 1
Reply by May 1
College of the Atlantic is test-optional and does not require standardized test scores.
COA-specific supplemental questions focus on environmental interests and commitment to the college's mission.
Deadline Calendar
Typical Application Requirements
Decision Notifications
Transfer Admission
Fall Transfer
April 1
Spring Transfer
December 1
International Students
English Proficiency Requirements
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Financial Aid
Need-blind for domestic students.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
50.0%
Avg Tuition Increase
1.7%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$17,723
Academics
All students earn a degree in Human Ecology, a self-designed interdisciplinary major.
Research: Strong emphasis on hands-on research in ecology, marine biology, and sustainability.
Thesis: All seniors complete a senior project demonstrating mastery of their self-designed major.
View all 1 majors›
Programs (4)
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
After Graduation
Top Employers
Top Graduate Schools
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
83%
Campus Life
Small athletics program with focus on sailing, soccer, basketball, and outdoor recreation.
Housing & Residential Life
Housing Styles
Dining
Commitment to local, organic, and sustainable food sourcing. Beech Hill Farm provides produce.
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
2
Peer Average
3
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Estimated from ME state average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Getting Around
Walkability
Compact campus in downtown Bar Harbor; walking and biking are primary modes of transportation.
Visit Planning
Nearby Hotels
Plan Your Visit
Nearby Attractions
Acadia National Parkwalkable
35,000-acre national park on Mount Desert Island with hiking, biking, and coastal views.
Bar Harbor Villagewalkable
Charming coastal town with shops, restaurants, and galleries.
Cadillac Mountain
Highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast, famous for sunrise views.
Ocean Path Trail
Scenic coastal hiking trail in Acadia.