College of the Atlantic
College of the Atlantic — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
College of the Atlantic at a Glance
College of the Atlantic (COA) is a private liberal arts college in Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island, Maine. Founded in 1969, it awards bachelors and masters (M.Phil.) degrees solely in the field of human ecology, an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Focus areas include arts and design, environmental sciences, humanities, international studies, sustainable food systems, teacher certification and educational studies, and socially responsible business. The College of the Atlantic is accredit…
1969
57 years old
$100M
$100.1 million
377
Identity
Is College of the Atlantic Worth It?
At a value score of 27/100, College of the Atlantic is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $40,264 — 25% below average — while paying $25,184/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.5-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 69% graduation rate means roughly 31% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $25,050 representing 62% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at College of the Atlantic has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How College of the Atlantic compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #18 of 48 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Humphreys University | 100 | $5,524 | $39,248 |
| #2 | Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary | 100 | $3,822 | $36,442 |
| #3 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #4 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #5 | Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef D'spinka | 52 | $5,646 | $36,545 |
| #6 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #18 | College of the Atlantic | 27 | $25,184 | $40,264 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of College of the Atlantic's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in ME.
Best Programs at College of the Atlantic
The highest-earning program at College of the Atlantic is Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General at $16,900/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General graduate from College of the Atlantic earns $16,900, while a Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General graduate earns $16,900. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General graduates carry $23,000 in median debt vs. $23,000 for Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,184/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $16,900 | $16,900 | $23,000 |
Similar Colleges in ME
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Bar Harbor, ME
- Student Body
- 353 students
- Admission Rate
- 70%
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,184
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,264
- Median Student Debt
- $25,050