Bard College vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bard College vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Cornell? 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 Cornell University than Bard College ($26,361 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bard College are 3% lower than at Cornell University ($18,852 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $2,878 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Cornell than at Bard College (about $2,878 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Cornell University (74% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 11.8% larger than aid received by Bard College students ($61,779 vs. $55,235).

Bard College vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 180 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Cornell 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; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Bard College vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $56,800 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $14,194 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($12,000 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $146 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($124 vs. $270).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.