Bard College vs. Canisius

Deciding between Bard College and Canisius University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Bard College
Canisius University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Bard College Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
  • Canisius Buffalo, NY
  • Setting
  • Bard College Town Fringe
  • Canisius Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Bard College 2,911
  • Canisius 2,451
  • Type
  • Bard College Private 4 Year
  • Canisius Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Bard College #184
  • Canisius #393
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Bard College -
  • Canisius Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Bard College Non-profit
  • Canisius Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Bard College
  • Canisius
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Bard College $66,436
  • Canisius $34,500
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Bard College $66,436
  • Canisius $34,500
  • Room & Board
  • Bard College $18,852
  • Canisius $13,560
  • Average Net Price
  • Bard College $29,320
  • Canisius $19,666
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Bard College $55,235
  • Canisius $24,972
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Bard College 74%
  • Canisius 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Bard College 7,583
  • Canisius 4,175
  • Admitted
  • Bard College 3,952
  • Canisius 3,021
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Bard College 52.1%
  • Canisius 72.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Bard College 12.8%
  • Canisius 13.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bard College 1360
  • Canisius 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bard College 30
  • Canisius 25
  • Average High School GPA
  • Bard College -
  • Canisius 3.7
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Bard College -
  • Canisius A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Bard College Very High
  • Canisius Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Bard College Low
  • Canisius Low
  • ACT Range
  • Bard College 28/32
  • Canisius 22/28
  • SAT Range
  • Bard College 1270/1450
  • Canisius 1050/1320
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Bard College Test optional
  • Canisius Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Bard College Jan 1, 2027
  • Canisius
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Bard College 9:1
  • Canisius 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Bard College
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (32%)
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (23%)
    • English and Literature (14%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Canisius
    • Business (25%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Education (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Bard College 76%
  • Canisius 67%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Bard College $41,600
  • Canisius $49,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Bard College 81%
  • Canisius 71%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Bard College $26,194
  • Canisius $24,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Bard College $270
  • Canisius $255
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Bard College 42%
  • Canisius 48%
  • % Women
  • Bard College 58%
  • Canisius 52%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Bard College Medium
  • Canisius Low
  • HBCU
  • Bard College No
  • Canisius No
  • % White
  • Bard College 63%
  • Canisius 73%
  • % Asian
  • Bard College 6%
  • Canisius 2%
  • % Black
  • Bard College 8%
  • Canisius 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Bard College 1%
  • Canisius 6%
  • % Native American
  • Bard College 1%
  • Canisius 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Bard College 0%
  • Canisius 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Bard College 0%
  • Canisius 1%
  • % International
  • Bard College 10%
  • Canisius 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Bard College 11%
  • Canisius 4%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Bard College 30%
  • Canisius 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Bard College 60%
  • Canisius 15%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Bard College Yes
  • Canisius Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Bard College No
  • Canisius No
  • Meal Plan
  • Bard College Yes
  • Canisius Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Bard College No
  • Canisius No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Bard College No
  • Canisius No

Comparable Facts

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

Bard College is larger than Canisius based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,451 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Canisius University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
  • Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Canisius University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Canisius University 11:1.

Bard College vs. Canisius Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Canisius? 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 Canisius University than Bard College ($19,666 vs. $29,320).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Canisius University are 28.1% lower than at Bard College ($13,560 vs. $18,852).
  • Bard College is 92.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Canisius (about $31,936 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $34,500.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 92.6% higher at Bard College than at Canisius University (about $31,936 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $34,500.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Canisius University than at Bard College (100% vs. 74%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 121.2% larger than aid received by Canisius University students ($55,235 vs. $24,972).

Bard College vs. Canisius Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bard College or Canisius? 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 Canisius and Bard College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 170 points higher than at Canisius (1190).
  • Incoming Bard College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Canisius).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Canisius University 1050/1320.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Canisius University 22/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Canisius - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
  • Canisius has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Bard College (52.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 13.1% at Canisius.

Bard College vs. Canisius Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College and Canisius? 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).

  • Bard College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Canisius University's (67%).
  • Graduates from Canisius University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Canisius University graduates have a $1,444 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($24,750 vs. $26,194).
  • Among borrowers, Canisius graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($255 vs. $270).
  • More Bard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Canisius students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 71%)

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.