Bard College vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

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

Bard College is larger than Denison based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bard College vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Denison? 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 Denison ($29,320 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 13% lower than at Bard College ($16,400 vs. $18,852).
• Denison University is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $564 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Denison than at Bard College (about $564 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at Bard College (94% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 44.7% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($55,235 vs. $38,179).

Bard College vs. Denison Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Denison University (1410) is 50 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Denison students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 23.8% at Denison.

Bard College vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Denison University's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Denison University earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Denison University graduates have a $194 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Denison graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($268 vs. $270).
• More Denison graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.