Bard College vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bard College is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Bard College vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Olin 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 Olin College ($29,320 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bard College are 9.4% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($18,852 vs. $20,810).
• Bard College is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $38 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Bard College than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $38 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Bard College (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 27.6% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($55,235 vs. $43,290).

Bard College vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 170 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Olin College (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Bard College vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College and Olin 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).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $11,484 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($14,710 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $118 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($152 vs. $270).

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.