Bard College vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Bard College is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Bard College vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College or Hamilton 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 Hamilton College than Bard College ($28,719 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 7.1% lower than at Bard College ($17,510 vs. $18,852).
• Hamilton College is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bard College (about $2,524 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Hamilton College than at Bard College (about $2,524 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $66,436.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Hamilton College (74% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Bard College students ($55,511 vs. $55,235).

Bard College vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 140 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Bard College vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College and Hamilton 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).

• Hamilton College's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $37,400 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $10,434 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($15,760 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($162 vs. $270).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.