Babson vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

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

Babson College is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (3,932 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Babson College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• Babson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Babson College 15:1; Bard College 9:1.

Babson vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Babson 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 Bard College than Babson ($29,320 vs. $32,019).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bard College are 12.5% lower than at Babson College ($18,852 vs. $21,550).
• Bard College is 16.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Babson (about $9,284 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at Bard College than at Babson College (about $9,284 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Babson College (74% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 14.7% larger than aid received by Babson College students ($55,235 vs. $48,173).

Babson vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Babson 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 Babson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Babson College (1460) is 100 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Babson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 1390/1530; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 31/34; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Babson - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Babson Jan 3, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Babson (17.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Babson vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Babson vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Babson 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).

• Babson College's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Babson College earn a median of about $66,900 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,500 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Babson College graduates have a $194 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Babson graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($268 vs. $270).
• More Babson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.