Bard College vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Bard College is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Bard College vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Dickinson College? 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 Dickinson College ($29,320 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 9.3% lower than at Bard College ($17,100 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $786 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Bard College than at Dickinson College (about $786 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Bard College (96% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 24.2% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($55,235 vs. $44,479).

Bard College vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 30 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Dickinson College 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; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Bard College vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Dickinson College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $20,400 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $5,194 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($21,000 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($217 vs. $270).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.