Amherst vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bard College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Bard College 9:1.

Amherst vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Bard College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Bard College ($19,049 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 2.5% lower than at Bard College ($18,390 vs. $18,852).
• Amherst College is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $4,044 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at Amherst than at Bard College (about $4,044 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Amherst College (74% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 24.2% larger than aid received by Bard College students ($68,591 vs. $55,235).

Amherst vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Bard College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bard College and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 180 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Amherst vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Bard College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $40,400 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,219 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $136 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($134 vs. $270).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.