College of the Atlantic's published cost of attendance is $58,266. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $20,415, middle-income families pay around $16,650, and higher-income families pay approximately $34,684.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $58,266 |
| Tuition and Fees | $47,997 |
| Room and Board | $10,404 |
| Books and Supplies | $600 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$33,082 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $25,184 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $20,415 |
| $30–48k | $13,942 |
| $48–75k | $16,650 |
| $75–110k | $26,266 |
| $110k+ | $34,684 |
College of the Atlantic's published cost of attendance is $58,266. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $20,415, middle-income families pay around $16,650, and higher-income families pay approximately $34,684. Azimuth ranks College of the Atlantic #1056 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. College of the Atlantic's aid structure is need-based, with institutional aid meeting a significant portion of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The net-price figures above reflect how aid typically closes the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay, though the specific gap varies by income level and individual circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,050. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $32,352, median federal debt of $25,050 projects to a monthly payment of about $283 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios and detailed affordability planning, use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of College of the Atlantic earn median 4-year earnings of $32,352, placing the institution in the 0.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks College of the Atlantic #1282 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings profile reflects a liberal arts institution where outcomes depend substantially on individual major choice and post-graduation career trajectory rather than a concentrated set of high-earning fields. College of the Atlantic's program portfolio spans humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary studies. General Studies represents the largest aggregate return by combining meaningful enrollment with solid earnings outcomes. Graduates pursue diverse career paths — some entering graduate school, others moving into nonprofit and public service roles, and others into private-sector positions — which creates wider variation in early-career earnings than institutions with dominant STEM or business concentrations. The liberal arts model emphasizes breadth and critical thinking over narrow vocational training, a signature that shapes both the earnings distribution and the longer-term career mobility of College of the Atlantic alumni.
