Bard College vs. Culinary Institute of America

Comparable Facts

Compare Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY with Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Culinary Institute of America is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (3,147 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Culinary Institute of America is in Hyde Park, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Culinary Institute of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Culinary Institute of America 18:1.

Bard College vs. Culinary Institute of America Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Culinary Institute of America? 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 Culinary Institute of America ($29,320 vs. $39,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Culinary Institute of America are 20.3% lower than at Bard College ($15,030 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 66.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Culinary Institute of America (about $26,586 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $39,850.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.7% higher at Bard College than at Culinary Institute of America (about $26,586 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $39,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Culinary Institute of America than at Bard College (99% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 185.5% larger than aid received by Culinary Institute of America students ($55,235 vs. $19,350).

Bard College vs. Culinary Institute of America Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bard College or Culinary Institute of America? 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 Culinary Institute of America and Bard College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 300 points higher than at Culinary Institute of America (1060).
• Incoming Bard College students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 20 at Culinary Institute of America).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Culinary Institute of America 928/1183.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Culinary Institute of America 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Culinary Institute of America - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Culinary Institute of America has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than Bard College (52.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 31% at Culinary Institute of America.

Bard College vs. Culinary Institute of America Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College and Culinary Institute of America? 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).

• Graduates from Culinary Institute of America earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,600 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have a $11,194 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($15,000 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have an estimated $115 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($155 vs. $270).
• More Bard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Culinary Institute of America students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 74%)

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.