Bard College vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Bard College vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Columbia? 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Bard College ($22,520 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 6.7% lower than at Bard College ($17,580 vs. $18,852).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $5,409 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Columbia than at Bard College (about $5,409 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (74% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 21.3% larger than aid received by Bard College students ($67,010 vs. $55,235).

Bard College vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 190 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Columbia 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; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Bard College vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $66,000 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $4,694 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($222 vs. $270).
• More Bard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 76%)

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.