The Basics

We intentionally remain small—just 350 students—so every voice is heard and every individual matters. COA students come from a wide range of places and backgrounds, united by curiosity, compassion, and purpose.

• Students represent over 40 US states and 45 countries
• 22% international students
• 10% US students of color
• 15% are from Maine

COA students earn a BA in human ecology, designing individualized programs of study that cross traditional academic boundaries. Our experiential learning model prepares students to tackle real-world problems from multiple angles.

• No academic departments or preset majors
• 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio
• Average class size: 12
• Trimester schedule (fall, winter, spring) with 10-week terms
• Students take three classes per term
• All students complete a professional internship
• All students design and complete a capstone senior project
• Over 50% of students have an international academic experience
• Teacher certification program available for elementary and high school preparation

COA’s campus isn’t limited to classrooms—it extends from our oceanside home to working farms and offshore islands. Every space supports inquiry, connection, and sustainability.

• 38-acre campus on the coast of Bar Harbor, Maine
• Two organic farms 
• Two island-based research stations
• Once forest protectorate
• One remote wilderness center

COA’s commitment to collaboration is embedded in our structure. Through our weekly All College Meeting (ACM) and college committees, students play an active role in shaping the institution.

• Weekly ACM where students, faculty, and staff co-lead campus decisions
• Students serve on all standing committees, including hiring and faculty review
• Collaborative governance prepares students for real-world leadership

The COA seal features three interwoven runes—human, earth, and water—encircled in unity. These symbols reflect our foundational value: that people and their environments are interconnected, and understanding that relationship is the heart of human ecology.

COA graduates leave with more than a degree—they carry real-world experience, critical thinking skills, and a values-driven mindset. Within one year of graduation:

• 74% are employed
• 23% are in graduate or professional school
• 50% ultimately pursue advanced study (Master’s or Doctoral)

Top graduate schools include: Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, Yale, Northeastern, Tufts, UC system, University of Copenhagen, and Boston University.

Fields of work include: Environmental science, education, public policy, law, healthcare, social services, the arts, nonprofit leadership, and more.

• COA is an independent, nonprofit institution (501(c)(3))
• Fully accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• No religious affiliation