Bard College vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Bard College vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon ($29,320 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 3.6% lower than at Bard College ($18,166 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $190 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Bard College than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $190 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Carnegie Mellon University (74% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 14.8% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($55,235 vs. $48,107).

Bard College vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 180 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon 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: Bard College 1270/1450; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Bard College vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College and Carnegie Mellon? 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).

• Carnegie Mellon University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $61,100 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bard College graduates have a $56 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($26,194 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Bard College graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($270 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.