Bard College vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bard College vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Drexel? 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 Drexel ($29,320 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 4% lower than at Bard College ($18,096 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 6.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drexel (about $4,024 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.4% higher at Bard College than at Drexel University (about $4,024 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Bard College (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 57.6% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($55,235 vs. $35,051).

Bard College vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 20 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming Bard College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Bard College (52.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Bard College vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Bard College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $35,800 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bard College graduates have a $49 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($26,194 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Bard College graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($270 vs. $271).
• More Bard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 77%)

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.