Acceptance Rate
70%
Avg. SAT
1430
75th percentile
“Interdisciplinary human ecology college nestled against Acadia National Park where students craft their own paths.”
Bar Harbor, ME
Location
College of the Atlantic opened its doors in 1969, born from Bar Harbor residents' vision for an experimental school that breaks from rigid academic structures. It centers on human ecology, examining how humans interact with the natural world through flexible, self-designed studies. Students who thrive here love weaving together science, policy, art, and philosophy; independent thinkers eager for hands-on environmental work fit best, while those craving predefined majors or bustling urban energy might feel constrained by the tiny size—just over 400 undergraduates.
The campus exudes a collaborative, unpretentious spirit where faculty, staff, and students share chores through the college work program. Bar Harbor offers stunning coastal scenery and Acadia National Park at your doorstep for hikes and research, but winters bring heavy snow and isolation from larger cities—Burlington, Vermont, is a four-hour drive away. Living costs run high in this tourist town, and the small scale means fewer peers and social options than at bigger schools.
Photo Gallery
+15
+7
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
Test-optional schools still weigh strong scores. Submitting can help.
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
You'll dive into the singular Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology, designing your own concentration from ecology, sustainability, or related fields—no traditional majors exist. Classes stay small, often under 15 students, with professors who teach across levels and lead field trips to nearby shores or forests; expect collaborative projects over rote lectures. Research starts early, from monitoring seals to studying climate impacts, often aboard college boats.
This setup suits curious minds who enjoy interdisciplinary puzzles, but popular topics can fill up fast in such a small place, and specialized depth in fields like engineering or business comes later through grad school. The intellectual vibe encourages questioning human-nature ties over siloed expertise.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
353 undergrad • 5 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
68%
Black / African American
<1%
Hispanic / Latino
6%
Asian
1%
Other / Multi-racial
25%
Campus Life
Varsity Athletics
Campus life revolves around tight bonds in a community where everyone pitches in—cooking meals, tending grounds, or maintaining boats—building unusual closeness. A typical week mixes classes, work shifts, outdoor clubs like kayaking or gardening, and quiet evenings in residence halls or cottages; weekends mean Acadia trails or town lobster shacks. Traditions include all-campus feasts and student-led symposia on ecology topics.
The social scene stays mellow and nature-focused rather than party-heavy, perfect for introverts or activists but potentially quiet for extroverts seeking big events. Harsh Maine weather confines you indoors come winter, and the remote spot limits off-campus nightlife, though summer swells Bar Harbor with visitors.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
NAIA
ROTC & Veteran Support
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$14,391
$30K – $48K
$13,709
$48K – $75K
$18,164
$75K – $110K
$25,073
$110K+
$33,995
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
85%
4 Years Graduation Rate
62%
6 Years Graduation Rate
72%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$40,264
85% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at College of the Atlantic and return in the fall. 62% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 72% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
62%
4-6 years
10%
Non-grad
28%
Let’s find your perfect tutor
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.
Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$44,280
Acceptance
70%
Undergrads
353
4-Year Grad Rate
62%
Endowment
$75M
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Explore More