Bard College vs. Fordham

Comparable Facts

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

Fordham University is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Fordham University is in Bronx, NY (Large City setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Fordham University 14:1.

Bard College vs. Fordham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Fordham? 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 Fordham ($29,320 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bard College are 21.7% lower than at Fordham University ($18,852 vs. $24,090).
• Bard College is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fordham (about $1,521 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Bard College than at Fordham University (about $1,521 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Bard College (95% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 53.5% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($55,235 vs. $35,988).

Bard College vs. Fordham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fordham University (1400) is 40 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Fordham 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; Fordham University 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Fordham University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Fordham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
• Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Bard College (52.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

Bard College vs. Fordham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Fordham University's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Fordham University earn a median of about $22,600 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,200 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fordham University graduates have a $194 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Fordham graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($268 vs. $270).
• More Bard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham 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.